Nigerian Senators on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on the senate president, Bukola Saraki, a move apparently aimed at shoring up support for the embattled leader who is facing corruption charges.
The senate met Tuesday for the first time since Mr. Saraki appeared before the tribunal and swiftly passed a vote of confidence on him.
Naijalog gathered that Saraki got the vote of senators after a motion was moved by Senator David Umaru (APC-Niger East) and was seconded by Senator Ahmed Sani.
Saraki also got the backing of 84 lawmakers.
Umaru and Sani said they decided to show their support for Saraki because they do not want any external influence on the 8th assembly.
But what seemed like a fairy tale with an happy ending then took another turn when Senator Babajide Omoworare (APC-Osun East) who had initially endorsed Saraki asked that his name be struck out, claiming that he was not properly briefed on the purpose of the motion.
While Omoworare startled his colleagues, it was the action of Senator Kabir Marafa (Zamfara Central), who raised a point of order on the motion while plenary was ongoing on that brought about a short rowdy session on the floor of the senate.
Marafa later walked out of the session in peaceful protest.
To quell the tension in the senate, Ike Ekweremadu, the senate deputy president, apologised on behalf of Marafa, noting that such action would not repeat itself.
He then thanked the lawmakers for throwing their weight behind the embattled senate president.
Naijalog recalls that Mr. Saraki was arraigned last week before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on a 13-count charge bordering on corruption and false declaration of assets.
He denied wrongdoing and said the trial was politically motivated.