We are not planning to declare seat of Senator Akpabio vacant – Saraki

VACANT SEAT AT THE SENATE: There is no plan to declare the seat of a Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, or that of any other defecting lawmaker vacant, Senator President Bukola Saraki has said.

READ ALSO: If you declare my seat vacant, Saraki’s seat too must be vacant – Senator Akpabio

Mr Saraki was reacting to reports there were such plans and a reaction to it by Mr Akpabio who recently joined Nigeria’s ruling APC, from the main opposition PDP.
At least 15 senators have changed parties in the past month, including Mr Saraki who moved from the APC to the PDP.
Mr Saraki’s media aide, Yusuph Olaniyonu, said on Tuesday that the rumour to declare any seat vacant was false.
“All that is mere talk,” he said. “People are making claims when we don’t even know when they’ll reconvene.”
The spokesperson was making reference to the current recess of the National Assembly which was expected to be suspended this week. However, Mr Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, released a joint statement on Tuesday saying there was no date yet for the resumption.
Speaking further on the reports of plans to declare Mr Akpabio’s seat vacant, Mr Olaniyonu said, “There’s a lot to be done and we don’t even have time for all that one.”

READ ALSO: PRESIDENCY/SENATE FACEOFF: Saraki’s actions as Senate President now bother on high treason – APC

He linked the reports to the travails of Mr Saraki who risks losing his seat after the APC asked him to resign or be removed.
“These people should focus on other things and leave Saraki alone. They have turned the man into a superstar overnight,” Mr Olaniyonu said.
He called on the public to ignore such reports saying the leadership of the National Assembly is focused on making the country better.

Earlier the Punch Newspaper quoted an unnamed source as saying arrangements were being made to ensure that Mr Akpabio, and others who defected recently from the PDP to the APC are removed or face a recall process.

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According to the Punch, the source hinted that the move against the defectors started just before the Senate went on recess, with the alleged refusal of Mr Saraki to read the letter of defection submitted to him by Mr Akpabio.

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