Senator Bukola Saraki

The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has accused the leadership of the National Assembly of desperately demanding the sack of Lawal Babachir, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) when Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara are themselves deep in allegations.

Saraki faced the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) while Dogara was accused of padding the 2016 budget.

The AYCF, in a statement signed by its National President, Yerima Shettima, wondered why they remained in office in spite of the huge cry that they should step down for proper investigation.

The Senate recently called for Babachir’s sack over allegations of breaching the law in the handling of a federal government programme concerning displaced persons.

The AYCF said: “It is interesting to watch how desperately the Senate and the House of Representatives leadership is trying to nail the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir.”

It listed its argument as follow:
1. It is evident that the leadership of both Chambers have skeletons in their cupboards; from the Asset Declaration scam to the criminal padding of the 2016 budget. There are sundry scandals involving underhand deals with certain heads of Federal Government parastatals bordering on extortion.

2. Some 32 Senators have been involved with criminal cases in court at the moment and these cases are still fresh.

3. Nearly 100 members of the House of Reps are yet to know fate of the frightening cases against them in court. This is not counting the sexual scandal that nearly dented the nation’s image in far away United States of America, which the lower chamber’s leadership would wish it is quickly forgotten.

4. The recent call for the removal of the SGF by the lawmakers is a decoy, designed to divert attention from the multiple criminal cases hanging in their neck.

5. We therefore wish to caution the lawmakers in the Upper and Lower Chambers of the National Assembly to tread carefully because those in glass house should learn not to throw stones.

While warning that Nigerians have become wiser and more enlightened, the group asked the leadership of the National Assembly to show good example by stepping aside pending the outcome of the multiple court cases that are ongoing.

“We demand a demonstration of their honesty and sincerity in calling for the resignation of Babachir by making the first move.

“We are aware that Babachir’s case, just like that of the CCT against Saraki and the criminal padding against Dogara are all allegations. So, there is no harm in asking them too to step aside in the interest of justice and fairness. Anyone can be innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law. It’s as simple as that and we hope the Senate and House of Reps would follow the path of honour and not indulge in diversionary tactics.”