Okolie, of the Department of Political Science, gave the commendation in an interview with newsmen in Nsukka on Friday. He said it was wrong for Ndume to call for the probe of his colleagues in the senate based on what he read in the newspapers without verifying the facts.
“As a distinguished senator, he should not talk like ordinary man on the street; he must have facts and figures before casting aspersion on anybody.
“He claimed he read about the alleged certificate forgery of Sen. Dino Melaye and importation of bullet proof Range Rover SUV by the Senate President in newspapers.
“That is not enough to blackmail the Senate. “Ndume should have gone further to carry out a personal investigation to verify if the allegations are true or false before jumping into conclusion,” Okolie said.
According to him, the Senate followed due process by investigating the two allegations through its Privileges and Ethics Committee before bringing its sledge hammer on Ndume.
“If the two allegations are true, Nigerians and the world would have celebrated Ndume as one who brought the issue to the floor; but now they are false, so he should also bear the consequences.
“This is good lesson for whistle blowers; there is nothing wrong in blowing the whistle, but you must ensure you have facts and figures of what you are saying.
“It’s unfortunate that Ndume’s suspension will deny Borno South Senatorial District a voice in Senate for six months.
“But it will also provide opportunity for his people to assess if he has given the district effective representation,” he said. On the call by the upper house on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Acting Chairman of EFCC, Mr Ibrahim Magu, Okolie urged the president to nominate a replacement for Magu.
“If I am Mr President, I will nominate another person as EFCC chairman and give Magu another appointment to avert further row with the Senate,’’ he said.
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Sir,you have said it all,you are a true Democrat. Nigerians need to be educated,instead of some so called persons,blaming the senate for his suspension.
ReplyDeleteBut NO, MAGU will not be replaced. If Senate likes let them continue, MAGU will package the looters to court, whether they like it or not
ReplyDeleteBut NO, MAGU will not be replaced. If Senate likes let them continue, MAGU will package the looters to court, whether they like it or not
ReplyDeleteProf., you have spoken your mind. With due respect, I somehow disagree with you. The Senator, Mr. Ndume cited their rules for raising such allegation before the Senate. And I think if it is truly found OUT that his observation was wrong, at least he has brought more credibility to the Senate because the public would have known that the rumours weren't true. I believe many of those in the Senate have skeleton in their cupboards and they would not like anyone to come forward and challenge them. To me, that's why they suspended the man so that people will be afraid to raise allegations against them. Come to think of it, prof., the 'Dino' saga has not been resolved. There are discrepancies associated with the so called degree. And if you listened to 'Dino', he said that he has seven degrees. He claimed he graduated from Harvard and London School of Economics. As a professor, you know these aren't true. I saw a written confirmation from one of the schools. I am certain, it will get to court very soon and I hope a diligent and honest judge would look into it. By that time, we will know whether Sahara reports were right or not. The news media also has its proof. For Mr. Magu, Prof. I think you know, his job is a very difficult one. And when you fight corruption, it fights back. These people have embezzled a lot money and they have a lot far more than what the public envisage. Recently you had about a former GMD of NNPC who built a house to keep $9.3M, about £74,000, some euros etc. What are we talking about? Many of the Senators have their cases with Mr. Magu. Well you may be right that if you were Mr. President you would nominate another person. I also feel the same. But I know our feelings including yours may not be correct. After all, I am not Mr. President. Not until you occupy that seat, you don't know what you can and can't do. Thank you for your understanding.
ReplyDelete