Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nasarawa) has reacted to claims that he is plotting the removal of the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, and the rest of the leadership.

Senator Obinna Ogba made this allegation during plenary on Thursday, providing evidence in the form of a voice recording.

However, in a statement made available to newsmen, Adamu denied the allegation, because “Saraki is like a son” to him.

He said: “‎I’m not in town. I lost someone and I’m presently in Nasarawa State. However, a colleague called me and drew my attention to what happened on the floor of the Senate today. It is amusing but very saddening at the same time.

“It is therefore, not logical for anyone to say I’m interested in the seat now, and will be planning to destabilise the Senate. To achieve what? For what purpose? It is not right for anyone to make such unfounded insinuations.

“But if I believe strongly in the cause, I stand by it. If I have offended anyone by my strong stand on some issues in the Senate in accordance with my conviction, I stand by it anytime. But the issue of trying to cause disaffection in the Senate is a non-issue at all.

“Whatever we do in this world, we must be ready to bear our cross, I’m ready to bear mine. Anyone who knows me will say clearly that I’m not plotting to remove Saraki. Let them look for another thing to say.”

Senator Abdullahi also noted that he is not afraid to face the Committee on Ethics and Public Privileges because he would “come out clean.”

He said: “We are almost three years in office, election year is drawing nearer, and I think any one thinking of upstaging the leadership of the Senate for any reason will only be fighting a lost battle because it is not what should naturally occupy the mind of any serious minded lawmaker now.

“I am not in anyway afraid of anyone who thinks I have offended him, I have the neck to carry my cross, but no one should cook up lies just to discredit me or any Senator for that matter.

“If I am asked to appear before the Committee on Ethics and Privileges, I will come out clean because whoever raises the allegations will have to come out and present incontrovertible facts to prove the allegations. Then, names of other so-called collaborators will be made known, they will be confronted, evidence of such meeting will be produced, those accused will be asked to defend themselves, and recommendations will be made by the committee based on facts presented to it.

“As for me, let me repeat that I’m not in anyway after Saraki, I can’t be after Saraki, and I won’t do anything to upstage the leadership as being claimed because it’s a fruitless venture.”

According to Adamu, he had the opportunity to contest for the seat but he did not.

“I am not in anyway after Saraki. Saraki is like a son to me. I had every right to contest for the Senate President seat three years ago when the 8th Senate was inaugurated, but I never did because I wasn’t interested.”