Melaye, Wamakko deny move
By Abdulaziz Abdulaziz and Bode Olagoke, Abuja
The All Progressives Congress (APC), yesterday, descended on some senators allegedly plotting an impeachment move against President Muhammadu Buhari, describing the move as a “huge joke taken too far.”
Some senators, supposedly backers of Senate President Bukola Saraki, were on Tuesday reported to have mooted the idea of sacking Buhari, following his (Saraki) trial, alongside his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu and two others, for their alleged role in the forgery of Senate Standing rules, used to elect principal officials for the 8th Senate, June last year.
The alleged move reportedly came to the open during the closed-door session by the lawmakers, when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights, Senator David Umoru, told the meeting that twice it summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), and twice he turned them down.
Amidst altercations between the pro and anti-Saraki senators, some lawmakers, believed to be sympathetic to the Senate President’s cause, allegedly warned that if the Executive failed to discontinue the trial, they could be forced to move against Buhari.
However, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, Senator Dino Melaye, a major Saraki supporter, who was reported to have allegedly championed the move, has denied the report.
He described it as a “narrative of the attack dogs of demagogues who have decided to turn Nigeria upside down for failing to choose leaders for senators.”
Similarly, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, in whose residence, the ‘impeachment plot’ was allegedly hatched, has denied same, insisting that the said meeting was one aimed at bringing about peace and reconciliation between the Senate and the Presidency.
Notwithstanding the denials, the governing APC has warned the Upper Chamber against any impeachment move.
The party in a statement signed yesterday in Abuja by its National Secretary, Mai Mala Buni, advised “the Senators in question to stop this huge joke and concentrate on their primary constitutional responsibilities of lawmaking and discharging of their legislative mandates to their constituents at the National Assembly.”
While describing as baseless, the allegation that the court cases against the principal officers of the Senate are politically motivated by the President and the APC, the party said “President Muhammadu Buhari administration strictly respects the principle of the Rule of Law and also adheres to the constitutional provisions of Separation of Power between the three arms of government.
“The party will not want to join issues on the Senate forgery suit and other court cases concerning some members of the 8th Senate because it will be subjudice. We advise the Senators in question to toe the same line and allow judicial processes run its normal and legitimate course.
“The APC urges Mr. President and the entire cabinet to remain focused in its effort to deliver on election promises and to steer the nation to its deserved heights.”
Meanwhile, Senator Wamakko has denied report that he is spearheading the plot to remove Buhari.
His statement reads: “My attention was drawn to a false and malicious story published by an online newspaper that a series of meetings were held in my residence to strategise on the impeachment proceedings of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“To set the records straight, a meeting was only held in my residence towards finding amicable solution to the frosty relationship between the Executive and Legislature.
“We have observed the growing disharmony between the two arms, and we resolved that finding amicable solution to the impasse will move the nation forward and give the president focus to pursue his Change Agenda.
“As a principled politician, I have no cause to scheme against the president and the party I campaigned for or the cause I believe in.
“Let me once again reiterate that we hold the president in high esteem, and we will do our best towards ensuring that there is cordial relationship and harmony between the two arms of government.”
In a related development, Senator Melaye, also denied such move, claiming the insinuations were mere falsehood.
The lawmaker, who gave the denial in a statement yesterday, said the alleged impeachment was the “narrative of the attack dogs of demagogues who have decided to turn Nigeria upside down for failing to choose leaders for senators.”
He said: “It is pertinent to note that the incredulously machinated misinformation was orchestrated by forces bent on destabilising the upper chambers of the Nigerian Parliament for selfish reasons.
“One of the mushroom and faceless online platforms used to promote the ill-fated and calumnious write-up has been notorious for serving as the propagandist machinery of political commercialists who are pushing for the extension of their fiefdom to the National Assembly.
“While I remain unimpeachably committed to the leadership of the Senate, I believe the respected arm of government charged with the onerous responsibility of lawmaking should be given the independence to conduct its business.
“I am a responsible Nigerian, role model and a champion of anti-corruption and equity which my party (APC) stands for.
“I, therefore, urge the general public to discountenance the libelous publication as I will continue to respect the history, culture and excellence of my Kogi West people on the floor of the Senate. The true threat to the current republic are those who believe that a Nigeria that is not led by them must not exist.”
