Melaye’s recall process is a waste of time – Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki has described moves to recall Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye from the Senate as a waste of time.

Saraki said this after Ike Ekweremadu, deputy senate president, contributed to a motion moved by Melaye on the recall process on Tuesday.

“As they say, 10 years is no joke in leadership. The deputy president of the senate has explained the processes. Let the process speak for itself,” Saraki said.

“I really don’t know why a lot of efforts are being wasted on this issue. These efforts should have gone on more important things. Eventually, it must come back here for us to certify whether it is satisfactory.”

[Read Also: INEC PUBLISHES TIMETABLE FOR SENATOR MELAYE’S RECALL]

Ekweremadu earlier described the process as an ‘exercise in futility’.

“What is happening in Kogi, in respect of Senator Dino Melaye, as far as this constitution is concerned, it is an exercise in futility. They are just wasting precious time because the constitution is clear on what should happen,” Ekweremadu said.

“It is possible that the attorney-general of Kogi state has not advised them properly. If he had done that, I am sure they would have applied their time to more meaningful ventures in the state. The process of recall is the equivalent of impeachment of executive positions.

“To avoid the abuse of impeachment, they made it very strict, provisions and procedures were made on how impeachment can take place. That is why people are not taking that route of removing governors by impeachment.

“In 2010, this parliament amended the constitution regarding section 69. It states that the number of those who are supposed to have requested his (Melaye) recall are supposed to line up somewhere in Kogi, while Melaye and his lawyers and each person would verify their signature.

“When they are done with that, they go back to section 68 which states that the president of the senate receives from the chairman of INEC the recall of the member. They would also present evidence satisfactory to the house. So, they need to come back here and convince each and every one of us that they have done the correct thing. Unless they do that, they cannot even give effect to it. So, why are we wasting our time? Let us move on and allow them to waste their time.”