By Dipo Olowookere
The lawmaker representing Borno South Senatorial District of Borno State at the National Assembly, Mr Ali Ndume, has been removed as the Senate Majority Leader.
Mr Ndume was kicked out from the position on Tuesday, January 9, 2017, at the resumption of plenary from the Christmas and New Year in December 2016.
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the red chamber delivered a letter to the Senate President, Mr Bukola Saraki, which he read to his colleagues.
In the letter, the APC Senators said they were removing Mr Nduke to elect another leader.
They stated in the letter to the Senate President that they have elected Mr Ahmed Lawan as the new Majority Leader.
Speaking with newsmen after plenary, Mr Ndume described his removal as shocking, stressing that he was never aware of the plot to kick him out.
However, there are indications that his removal may not be unconnected with his statement that the Senate neither rejected the nomination of Mr Ibrahim Magu as EFCC Chairman nor indicted Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Babachir Lawal, for fraud.
His stand on Mr Magu had forced spokesman of the Senate, Mr Aliyu Abdullahi, to counter him, insisting he (Mr Abdullahi) was the only person authorised to speak for the upper legislative arm.