The subject of the impeachment or not of Sararki becomes important considering it is the main reason the Senate adjourned plenary till September, thereby ignoring the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for more funds for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be able to organise smooth elections in 2019.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, of masterminding the invasion of the National Assembly by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
As early as 6am on Tuesday, DSS officials barricaded the gates of the National Assembly complex and prevented lawmakers, staff and journalists from gaining entry.
However, after a while, lawmakers were allowed in, while journalists and staff were locked outside for hours. Eventually, the gates were opened after Acting President Yemi Osinbajo curtailed the situation by sacking the Director General of the DSS, Lawal Daura.
Commenting on the development in a statement by Yekini Nabena, its National Publicity Secretary, on Wednesday, APC spoke — not in probable but in definite terms — about plans to impeach the Senate President.
The subject of the impeachment or not of Sararki becomes important considering it is the main reason the Senate adjourned plenary till September, thereby ignoring the request of President Muhammadu Buhari for more funds for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be able to organise smooth elections in 2019.
THE STATEMENT, UNEDITED
*How Security Operatives Stopped Saraki's Plan to Foment Violence over Impeachment*
Following Tuesday's incident at the National Assembly, our investigations have now uncovered the sinister plot hatched by the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki to foment violence in the legislative chamber all in a bid to stop his impeachment.
Our investigations uncovered and noted the following:
*We are now aware that the timely intervention of the security operatives forestalled the planned violence which could have led to possible deaths, injuries and destruction of property in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
*Why did the Senate President mobilise thugs to the National Assembly who almost lynched Hon. E.J. Agbonayinma, the only APC federal lawmaker present but for the timely intervention of security operatives.
*Why did the Senate President reconvene the National Assembly? Ostensibly as a pre-emptive move to frustrate federal lawmakers move to impeach him.
*Is it not curious that only Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) federal lawmakers were present in their numbers-some as early as 7am, while the majority APC federal lawmakers were elsewhere holding a caucus meeting on the state of the nation.
*We call on security agencies and relevant bodies to as a matter of urgency probe these findings and take all necessary and legitimate action to stop these illegalities which pose a direct and ominous threat to our democracy.
As espoused in our earlier statement, whilst our contention with the leadership of the National Assembly as currently constituted is a matter of public record, we still believe that the legislature as an independent arm of government must be allowed free reign for vibrant contestation of ideas and values amongst its members within the context of their constitutional mandate and for the benefit of the Nigerian people.
Finally, we reiterate our call for the Senate President to resign from the position immediately as he no longer has the moral and legitimate ground to occupy that position as a member of the minority PDP. Going by the popular axiom, the majority will have their way, but the minority will have their say.
SIGNED:
*Mr. Yekini Nabena*
Ag. National Publicity Secretary