PENSION REFORM CHIEF: PRESIDENCY REACTS TO OUTBURTS BY SENATE

The Presidency has denied claims that it is shielding the Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Force, Abdulrasheed Maina.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said President Goodluck Jonathan was not backing Maina against the Senate as is being speculated in some circles. Dr Abati added that the Head of Civil Service is the only constitutional body that could handle the case of discipline of civil servants.

The Senate in a unanimous decision gave President Jonathan a two-day ultimatum within which to sack Maina from the Federal Civil Service or risk a frosty relationship with the Senate.

But in an interview, Dr Abati acknowledged that though the Senate has constitutional right to summon anybody, asking for such persons to be sacked has to follow due process of the law.