President Buhari flanked by Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara
A major political crisis is in the offing from the chambers of the National Assembly as both the APC and the PDP have been unable to muster two-third majority required to effect the impeachment and removal from office of a political office holder.
The APC senators have been meeting secretly but it has been difficult amassing the support of senators of other political parties as well as some senators of the PDP to enable them effect their desired leadership change in the Senate.
On the other hand, the PDP senators have only been able to muster the support and signature of 49 senators whom they are sure would never be swayed in the unfolding power show in the Senate. At full sitting, the Senate requires two-third majority (72 senators) to impeach any person. Barring a few vacant seats and absentees, no fewer than 70 senators are needed by each group to effect an impeachment.
PDP senators were said to be planning the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari and have been strategizing through late night meetings on how to consolidate their stronghold in the Senate as well as begin the impeachment proceedings of the President.
The inability of the warring parties to muster two-third majority may throw up another bout of crisis especially as both parties have spoiling for war and making inflammable remarks on who controls the Senate.
49 senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on Tuesday, declared support for President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Chief Ike Ekweremadu.
The lawmakers affirmed their support on a list made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, saying they were all illegal plots against both principal officers of the senate.
“We, the undersigned senators hereby declare our total supported for Sen. Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, as the President of the Senate and Deputy President of the Senate.
“We are against any purported illegal impeachment being cooked up by a few minorities.’’
The senators are Rabiu Kwankwaso (PDP-Kano), Biodun Olujimi (PDP-Ekiti), Joshua Lidani (PDP-Gombe), Emmanuel Bwacha (PDP-Taraba), Jonah Jang (PDP-Plateau) and Dino Melaye(PDP-Kogi).
Others include Ben Bruce (PDP-Bayelsa), Rafiu Ibrahim (PDP-Kwara), Philip Aduda (PDP-Federal Capital Territory), Ubale Shittu (PDP-Jigawa) and Philip Gyunka (PDP-Nasarawa).
In a related development, the British Government has said that it is closely monitoring political developments in Nigeria following reports of blockade of National Assembly entrance by officials of the Department of State Service (DSS).
The British Government made this known in a statement from its High Commission in Abuja on Tuesday.
Operatives of the DSS took over the gates of the Assembly as early as 7 a.m. on Tuesday and reportedly prevented some lawmakers from entering the complex.
The officials also reportedly claimed to be acting on orders.
The UK Government, however, stated that it was aware of media reports of “the situation at the National Assembly this morning.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and other political developments in Nigeria.
“The United Kingdom supports a process whereby the people of Nigeria can exercise their democratic rights to vote and be voted for.”
It declared its “unwavering support for a free, fair, credible and peaceful process and the independence of institutions, which allow for that”.
Political leaders have condemned the incident, while officials of the DSS had since left the Assembly complex, following the immediate sack of Director-General of the agency by the Federal Government.
