Leadership of the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress say it had become necessary for Saraki to step aside from Senate presidency to answer the charges preferred against him.

Organised labour had on, September 10, 2015, held nationwide protests against corruption, while seeking death penalty for public treasury looters.

Labour said it was only by killing looters that the anti-corruption crusade being championed by President Muhammadu Buhari could succeed.

According to President of the TUC, Mr. Bobboi Bala, "resignation is a moral burden on people. But if somebody feels that he will carry his cross, go to the courts and try to exonerate himself, he should be given the opportunity. But it would be too bad if at the end of the day, he is found guilty. It does not speak well of public office holders.

“In other climes, as soon as such things happen, people tender their letters of resignation. Obviously, it is a moral burden on him. We hope all politicians will begin to know that no matter how highly placed they are, one day, they will definitely have to account for their stewardship.”

Several chapters of the NLC and the TUC across the states also asked for Saraki’s resignation on Saturday.

The Chairman, TUC, Ogun State, Mr. Olubunmi Fajobi, said if it were in a civilised clime, the Senate President would have stepped aside to allow for free and fair trial.

“As it were, the Senate President is sitting on a delicate seat. If it were a civilised society, he would have stepped aside to allow for a fair trial, so that he won’t allow his official position to influence the decision of the tribunal.”