Nigerian senators on Tuesday passed a vote of confidence on the senate president, Bukola Saraki, seeking to shore up support for the embattled leader who is facing corruption charges.

Mr. Saraki was arraigned last week before the Code of Conduct Tribunal on a 13-count charge of alleged corruption and false declaration of assets.

He denied wrongdoing and said the trial was politically motivated.

The senate met Tuesday for the first time since Mr. Saraki appeared before the tribunal, and 83 senators co-sponsored a motion to give him a “vote of confidence”.

David Umar, Niger East, who read the motion, initially said it was sponsored by 84 Senators; nevertheless, the Chairman Senate Committee on Business and Rules, Babajide Omowarare, Osun East, asked that his name be removed from the list.

“Ordinarily by virtue of my position as the Chairman, Committee on Business and Rules, I should have seen this motion before now,” Mr. Omoworare said.

“But it comes as matter of urgent public importance. My name is listed as number eleven. Let me say that I don’t know how my name got into the list. I therefore say I am not part of it.”

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