Defeated Senators, Reps packs out of offices

Firstclass newsline crew learnt that some senators and House of
Representatives members complied with the National Assembly
management's directive on Monday by moving their personal items out of
their various offices in the Federal Parliament.
Firstclass newsline had reported on Monday that the National Assembly
management had issued a procedural directive to the lawmakers to
remove their personal belongings in order to prepare the offices for
re-allocation in the weeks ahead.
Firstclass newsline observed on Monday utility vehicles owned by the
lawmakers packing away refrigerators, television sets, tables, chairs,
rugs, books, pictures, computers and other electronic items.
Aides of some of the legislators were also seen directing contract
staff working as cleaners in the complex, to pack and load their
principals' belongings onto the utility vehicles parked in front of
the new Senate and House of Representatives' wings.
Investigation by firstclass newsline crew revealed that most of the
301 House members and the 76 senators who lost their bids to return to
the federal parliament, had since been removing their personal
belongings, after the elections.
Some members of staff of the National Assembly were seen with
souvenirs given to them by the lawmakers, while the cleaners had a
busy day conveying loads of unwanted items to the dump site.
A female lawmaker had, early last week, reportedly broke down in tears
when she sighted her belongings, especially portraits, removed from
her office by her aides and packed in front of the complex, awaiting
evacuation.
The lawmaker, according to investigation, had out of anger that she
lost re-election into the House, ordered her aides to pack out her
personal items from the office only for her to burst into tears when
she sighted her portraits, packed outside the lobby.
One of the senators who is contesting the Senate presidency had also
earlier asked his aides to remove his belongings from the office
because, according to his aides, another office would be allocated to
him after the inauguration of the 8th Senate.
One of the aides to one of the senators, who spoke on condition of
anonymity, said his boss instructed him and others to remove his
belongings from the office.
He said his boss had started preparing his personal office where he
would retire to after the expiration of the tenure of the 7th Senate
on June 4.
It was not clear whether all the items being removed actually belonged
to the senators and House members or were simply being "looted" by
their aides as their bosses were not around on Monday to supervise the
packing.
Firstclassnewsline.net