Senator Kawu Sumaila representing Kano South has stated that he is not afraid of suspension after the Senate rejected his motion seeking an investigation into alleged budget irregularities involving an agency linked to the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
Addressing journalists after the motion was turned down, he insisted that his concern was not the creation of the agency but its inclusion in the national budget without what he described as proper legislative scrutiny.
According to Sumaila, the President has the constitutional power to establish agencies, but the National Assembly has the responsibility of scrutinising and approving budgetary allocations.
“My main concern is the budget. Mr president can constitute or can create an agency without the approval of the National Assembly constitutionally he is empowered to do so, therefore I am not more concerned about that one.
“What we are concerned about is who legalised the inclusion or who facilitated the inclusion of that agency in the national budget, which is our constitutional responsibility who came and defended that budget? Who is responsible in the National Assembly?” he asked.
Responding to calls for his suspension over the motion, the senator dismissed the threat, saying he was prepared to face any consequences.
“I don’t know why you’re calling for suspension, suspend who? What is suspension? I can live without the senate, he is doing his work I am doing my own.
“I am a representative of the people and I’ve said in my message, if
