Rights group faults Frank over calls for the Resignation of the Senate President

Rising-Up for a United Nigeria has rejected in strong terms, calls by Timi Frank and other individuals for the resignation of the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The group’s National Convener, Amb. Solomon Adodo, and the CSO wondered who has made a mockery of Nigeria’s democracy more between Timi Frank and the Senate President, who has been very transparent, diligent and committed in the discharge of his duties to the nation.

The CSO lamented the mischievous misrepresentation of facts with the intent of tarnishing the hard-earned image of the Senate President to achieve their sinister motives.

The group maintained that the accusation by Frank and his co-travellers that the lawmakers are insensitive for embarking on a holiday is misplaced.

The group argued that lawmakers are supposed to periodically visit and consult with their constituents.

The group warned those paid goons hiding under a veil of deceitful patriotism to attack the integrity of the Senate following the non-clearance of some ministerial nominees to desist from heating the polity and accept the fact that the tenth Senate under Godswill Akpabio will continue to operate an open government in order to build trust and confidence in our democratic experience regardless of who is affected.

It noted: ” The fact that Nigerians are facing hardships at the moment does not stop the lawmakers from doing their jobs. In fact, it is in interacting with their constituents that they will know the root causes of the challenges and face them head-on.

“That the Senate President publicly announced the vacation and the statutory allowances does not make him insensitive but transparent.

“It is clear from the reactions online that the Senate President was taken out of context. As a pro-masses leader, he was basically talking about the efforts the Senate has made for the Senators to reach out to their constituents in terms of welfare and not giving out funds for the Senators’ exclusive use and enjoyment.

“He was similarly taken out of context when he stood against an anti-masses legislation, insisting the poor should not be suffocated with hardship but ‘allowed to breathe’.

“It is shameful that some persons take delight in twisting facts and injecting unnecessary rhetoric to cause disaffection against leaders.

“Those calling for the resignation of Senator Akpabio should come and out clear and tell Nigerians that they are paid to do a hatchet job for some disgruntled politicians. Those dissatisfied with the screening process should go and face security agencies and sort out their challenges instead of venting their anger on the Senate President.

“For a man who is showing great accountability in his stewardship, accusing him of insensitivity is akin to insanity. Nigerians should kindly disregard those whose only contribution to our democracy is to offer themselves as paid hands to destroy impeccable persons and institutions”, the statement concluded.