TheCable

Senate President Bukola Saraki has dismissed the reports that Ali Ndume was replaced as majority leader of the senate in order to allow peace reign in the upper chamber of the national assembly.

On Tuesday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the senate nominated Ahmad Lawan, a lawmaker from Yobe, to take over from Ndume.

Addressing state house correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buahri on Wednesday, Saraki said there was no crisis in the senate.

Asked if he sacrificed Ndume for peace, he said: “Do I look like someone that does things like that?”

He said the change would not have any effect on the harmonious relationship in the red chamber.

“Things like this do happen and as you said the institution is bigger than everybody and I am sure that he and everybody else will always work for the interest of the institution and for the interest of the country. Everything is calm, solid and fine,” he said.‎

Saraki explained that he was at the presidential villa to discuss important issues with the president, “especially the budget”.

“You know getting the government going, getting the national assembly moving and as you know there is nothing more important to us now than the budget process and the work we need to do in those areas.”

He added that the senate had not taken any decision on Ibrahim Magu, acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).