From Fred Itua, Abuja
Almost six years after Bukola Saraki left as President of the Senate and six months after the exit of Ahmad Lawan, the management of The National Assembly, is yet to mount their portraits at the photo gallery of the upper legislative wing.
Saraki was elected in June, 2015, despite a strong opposition by the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Similarly, Lawan was elected as President of the Senate in June, 2019, after he failed to beat Saraki in 2015.
As a practice, the National Assembly management, mounts the portraits of the Senate President, as soon as he vacates office.
In the House of Representatives chamber, portraits of the Speakers of the House of Representatives, are also mounted as soon as they leave office.
In June, 2015, less than a week after David Mark vacated office as President of the Senate, his portrait was immediately mounted.
Similarly, in the House of Representatives, the portrait of Yakubu Dogara, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, was mounted in June, 2019, as soon as he vacated office.
Ironically, Saraki’s portrait is still conspicuously missing from the photo gallery of former Presidents of the Senate.
Lawan, who as President of the Senate didn’t approve the mounting of the portrait of Saraki, is yet to have his own photo placed.
A top management staff, who spoke to Daily Sun, said the Bureaucracy of the National Assembly didn’t offer any explanation why the portrait of Saraki was never mounted.
He said the refusal by the management of the National Assembly to honour an aged-long practice, was questioned by many lawmakers, who have repeatedly asked why Saraki’s portrait was missing.
They had accused Lawan of frustrating any move to have it erected. Ironically, Lawan has become a victim too.
The top management staff declined to comment further on the development.
Ends…
Fred Itua,
Assistant Politics Editor,
The Sun Newspaper,
Abuja.
And
Director of Communications,
The Sun Media Foundation
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