- Safiu Kehinde
Lawmaker representing Osun East Senatorial District, Sen. Ade Fadahunsi, has charged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to restore the integrity of the Red Chamber.
Speaking at the Senate’s plenary session on Friday, Fadahunsi declared the hallowed chamber’s integrity lost on account of the altercation between Akpabio and suspended Kogi lawmaker, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over seat arrangement.
He said that the Senate had deviated from its core purpose as a result of the undue attention caused by the clash and the sexual harrasment allegation which emerged thereafter.
“It seems as if we don’t know where we are and who we are. Today, you are number three in this country which means all of us are that number three. It is a serious upper later of the whole nation- 109 out of 250 million people. It carries what we call integrity.
“But for the past two weeks, the integrity has gone down just because of mere trivial matter of allocating seat and so on.”
“I don’t want to know what is under current. God so kind, those who pushed you to assist have confessed.
“It has even taught you a lesson. You have have to look at the whole issue critically before you even act.” He said.
Fadahunsi further faulted the dragging of the Senate President by members of the public, describing his recent invitation by human rights advocacy radio station, Berekete radio, as insulting to the Senate.
While reiterating the restoration of the chamber’s integrity, the Osun Senator said there are crucial issues such as the tax reform bills that need to be addressed.
“Today, everywhere- including Berekete radio, calling number three to come and explain things. Just a radio that we licensed. It’s an insult.
“My own now is how to bring this integrity back. Once a damage is done, to bring it back is a long story. All of us must have to work hard within this period and bring it back.
“We are in a serious situation where we are supposed to make tax law and how it is going to benefit common people. But how will they believe us when we were fighting on seat.
“Mr. Senate President, we have to call a spade a spade. Please let us do our work seriously and after that we can be friends.
“It has shown you now that there is no friend. You don’t have any friend today. Tomorrow, we don’t know what will happen.
The only friends you have are your wife, children, and God.
“We praying for you to succeed, but let us face what we are here for.” He said.
Reacting to the Senate’s consideration on reducing Akpoti-Uduaghan’s suspension, Fadahunsi supported the reduction.
“As regards the punishment. Well, if it is the six months you’re talking, good. If you are going to have mercy of three months as prescribed by the minority leader, all well and good. But a punishment is a punishment.” He said