I lack powers to recall Ndume – Saraki

 President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki says he lacks the powers to rescind the decision to suspend former leader, Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South.
Recall that the Senate last Wednesday suspended Ndume for six months for not ‘doing due diligence’ before asking the upper Chamber to investigate Saraki and the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye, over alleged importation of bullet proof SUV with fake Customs and certificate forgery respectively.
Ndume’s suspension followed the adoption of a recommendation made in a report by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

But fielding questions from State House Correspondents after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari behind closed doors in the Presidential Villa on Monday, Saraki said he lacked the powers to recall Ndume as the suspension was a collective decision of the upper chamber.
Asked whether the visit of the Borno State governor, Kashim Shetima to him (Saraki) at the weekend on behalf of Ndume would cause the Senate to reconsider its position, Saraki said it was not in his place to decide on the next step.
He said: “We should try and understand how the parliament works. I wish I had such powers these, powers you give me I wish I had them. The President or Speaker is first among equals, they are just presiding officers but unfortunately you know the legislative arm is the youngest, people don’t understand.

“People give us this powers that we have, decisions that are taken in plenary is decision of all but I have a role to be able to convey the message. I will convey the message of the visit of the Governor of Borno. And the Senate is one; we are all one family there will be issues like that, there is nothing that is sacrosanct or rigid.”