By Mustapha Buhari, Maiduguri
Embattled senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, on Sunday declared that he rather preferred to be isolated in the upper chamber and be in the side of truth to betraying the interest of Nigeria and be in the midst of the majority.
Mr Ndume was reacting to the six-month suspension slapped on him by the Senate, saying he did not regret the action that caused his suspension.
The senator made the remark while addressing thousands of his supporters during a thank-you tour of his constituency, comprising Shani, Biu, Kwaya Kusar and Bayo local government areas.
The federal legislator argued that the genesis of his suspension was not far from his support to President Muhammadu Buhair’s anti-corruption crusade through backing the confirmation of Ibrahim Magu as the chairman of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Mr Ndume insisted that the suspension would not in any way deter him from saying and practising the truth in the interest of the nation.
“As far a Iam concerned, I wronged no one in the senate and I am not regretting my loyalty and support for President Buhari’s fight against corruption as well as all forms of financial crimes,” he declared.
At the palace of emir of Shani, Mamman Mailafiya, the emir called on the Senate president, Bukola Saraki, to convince his colleagues to rescind the suspension of Mr Ndume.
According to the monarch, the suspension of the former senate leader is negatively undermining the interest of Southern Borno Senatorial District, considering Mr Ndume’s contributions to the development of the zone.
He said, Mr Ndume has been very supportive and to Mr Buhari’s fight against corruption.
“If Ndume erred on the floor of Senate by giving an information which later turned to be unsubstantiated, that does not mean that he committed a crime or breached the constitution, and then warrant his suspension”, he appealed.
