By Justina Otio

The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has lamented that Nigerians no longer have confidence in the country’s lawmakers.

Speaking on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ndume argued that the parliament has deviated from the people’s expectations.

The former Senate Chief Whip called for the protection of the legislature.

He said, “It is not about these reforms but I am concerned, that institution is supposed to be protected.

“Out of 109 of us, only 25 of us made it back to the Senate. It means we have lost the confidence of the people. Out of those that didn’t come back, almost all wanted to come back except for few that wanted to be governors.

“Instead of sticking to what is true and right, if you deviate for whatever reason will be tantamount to the confidence given to you by the people.”

Speaking on the uproar in the senate regarding the tax reform bills, Ndume described it as an ambush.

Naija News reports that there was a disturbance in the Senate on Wednesday after Ndume protested the entry of Zacch Adedeji, chair of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), into the red chamber.

Adedeji’s briefing was not outlined in the order paper of the upper legislative chamber, and that prompted Opeyemi Bamidele, majority leader, to move a motion for the suspension of the senate rules.

In response, while citing the rules of the senate, Ndume said visitors were not allowed into the red chamber to speak if the item was not listed on the order paper.

When asked if it was listed on the day’s proceedings during the interview, he said: “That is why I raised the matter. If not, why not?”

“Zacch and Taiwo Oyedele, brilliant guys, I respect them for their intellect but not the way they are doing this thing,” he added.