By Oladipo Abiola

The lawmaker representing Borno South in the National Assembly, Ali Ndume, has expressed disappointment with the nature of some recent happenings in the legislative chamber.

He described the commotion which occurred in the legislative chambers during the visit by some government officials on the tax reform bills as an unfortunate incident.

Ndume also expressed anger and disappointment at the way the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau handled proceedings on that day.

Speaking in an interview with Arise News, the Borno lawmaker called for comprehensive reforms in governance as, according to him, it is not a personal struggle, but about protecting the Senate as an institution.

Responding to questions about the altercation that occurred in the Senate, Ndume said, “I speak from my mind, not from my mouth. I promised myself I was not going to say anything, but suddenly they brought people from the presidency that I charged with these reforms. So I had to say something, and in the process, this unfortunate incident happened.”

On how he felt and what should be the next line of action, Ndume said: “I felt bad not for myself as a person but for the institution that we call the Senate. We can’t do a senator like that. It can mean Ndume today but not be Ndume permanently, but the Senate would be there as long as the constitution.”

The lawmaker disagreed with the way Barau handled the situation, submitting that the Deputy Senate President exhibited arrogance.

He further expressed disappointment with the decision of Barau not to apologize publicly, adding that he later did the apology in private.

“I was very angry, especially when Jibrin Barau used some abusive words. When I complained and demanded an apology, he felt arrogant because he was holding a governor. He ruled me out of order because he is sitting there as a Senate President, he is supposed to be presiding.

“He is just one among equals, and if you look among equals, he is ranking, and he is being respected in the Senate. But I’m by far senior to him; I’m older than him, and I’m more educated and exposed than him.

“He shouldn’t—he knows that. He has to use that statement even though he said it’s not personal. And he further worsened it by saying it’s general.

“He refused to apologise in public but apologised in private,” Ndume revealed.