I have no powers to reverse Ndume's suspension - Saraki

Senate President Bukola Saraki says reversing the suspension of a former Senate Leader, Mohammed Ali Ndume, is beyond his powers.

The Senate president said this yesterday while speaking to State House reporters after meeting behind closed-doors with President Muhammadu Buhari.

Saraki was responding to a question on whether the Senate would reverse Ndume’s suspension following the appeal by a delegation led by Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, at the weekend. 

The Senate president stated that he wished he had such powers, saying he is just the presiding officer of the upper legislative chamber.

Saraki, who pledged to convey the governor’s message to the Senate, however, noted that in such an issue, “nothing is sacrosanct or rigid.”

“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 these powers that we have. Decisions that are taken in plenary are decisions of all,” he said.