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El-Rufai: Senators extend deadline
COSMAS EKPUNOBI,
Abuja
SENATE
yesterday extended till next Tuesday the ultimatum given President Olusegun
Obasanjo for the removal of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam
Nasir el-Rufai, for allegedly insulting the Upper Legislative Chamber.
The Senate extended the ultimatum just as
it vowed that there was no going back on its demand to sack of the embattled
Minister.
The extension which was after the
expiration of the 48 hour ultimatum earlier given, was sequel to a fresh letter
sent to the Senate by President Obasanjo requesting that he be given time to
enable him consider the implications of the issue for further action.
The Senate which met behind closed doors,
also raised a three man committee to reply the President’s fresh letter.
Senate had Tuesday given President
Obasanjo 48 hours to sack Mallam El-Rufai for allegedly describing lawmakers as
fools.
Barely two hours after the ultimatum was
given, the President apologised to the senators, saying that he had queried the
minister.
His apology did not, however, provide the
desired turning point as the senators insisted that the minister must go for
allegedly casting aspersion on the Senate.
President Obasanjo in a fresh letter
yesterday acknowledged the receipt of the Senate letter NASS/S/1017/00 x/83
dated August 31, and again said," may I also hereby request you and the
distinguished Senate for greater understanding, patience and time for me to
consider all the implications of this issue to enable me take appropriate action
on your resolution.
"The report of the Public Account
Committee has got to my hand and I want to assure the Senate that appropriate
corrective actions will be taken."
The Senate on receipt of the letter, asked
Senators Uche Chukwumerije, Olorunnimbe Mamora and Johathan Zwingina to further
study the letter and reply the President.
Briefing correspondents yesterday on the
decision of the Senate at the end of the executive session, Senator Ike
Ekweremadu said we (senators) are not going back on our demand that Mallam el-Rufai
should be sacked."
"We (Senate) want to get to the root of
the matter so that others will learn their lesson from it," he added.
Commending the House of Representatives
for their support, the Senate insisted that the only way forward is to remove
the FCT minister from office.
Ekweremadu and two other senators who
briefed journalists on the latest development, said that the Senate had resolved
to forward to the President and the media video tapes containing the meeting
between the minister and the Senate Committee on Public Account.
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