Anthony Iwuoma
“In contrast, the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is committed to finding lasting solutions to the emerging security threats, including those left behind by the PDP in the South-South, the Northeast and throughout the federation. In the last 24 hours, two more Chibok girls were freed, in addition to the three brought home last week,” the statement added.
“As to the resolution passed by the Senate, it was passed when we were deliberating (at the FEC meeting). We thank them for their patriotism and their concern. But we are working around the clock 24 hours to ensure that the situation is brought under control,” Mohammed said.
“I want to assure you that the president is aware of all these and as a matter of fact, I think tomorrow there’s going to be another Security Council meeting. So, it’s not a matter the president is taking lightly and like I’ll always say, some of the measures we’re going to take are not measures that you can discuss openly here, but we’re as concerned as you are, we’re not going to abandon our responsibility.”
The lawmakers’ threat to begin impeachment proceedings against the president stemmed from the increasing bold attacks of the terrorists without adequate response by the authorities.
“Resolution made by all Senators at the closed door session which lasted for two hours was to further deliberate on it in plenary and arrive at a resolution to give President Muhammadu Buhari ultimatum on an urgent basis to stop the worsening security situation or face impeachment.”
However, the Senate President cut him short, saying his point of order fell flat on its face because it was not discussed with him prior to raising it.
This prompted some the Senators led by Aduda to storm out of the chamber, chanting, “All we are saying, Buhari must go, Nigeria must survive, Ahmad Lawan should follow.”
Adudua, alongside the protesting Senators, including some APC members, who later gathered at the Senate Press Centre blamed the stalemate on the Senate President’s refusal to follow the resolutions the senators across party lines took at the closed-door session.
“We held closed-door session for two hours, where it was resolved that the issue will be deliberated upon in plenary with an agreed resolution to give President Muhamnadu Buhari a -six week ultimatum to address the insecurity issue of the country or face impeachment by both Chambers of the National Assembly.”
He added, “We agreed that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property of citizens.
“For us the minority caucus in the Senate, we also took into cognizance the fact that the Senate had at various times convened various security meetings, various security issues were discussed and we did recommend to government various steps and measures aimed at curbing these issues of insecurity. We realised that even Abuja that we are in is no safer and all of you will agree with us.
“So, at the close session we agreed that we will give the President an ultimatum that if it does not comply with the resolutions, we will move immediately to give an impeachment notice. This we agreed at the exclusive session.”
Senanators from other parties, who joined the PDP Senators in the walkout, included Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA Abia South), Ibrahim Shekarau (NNPP Kano Central), Francis Onyewuchi (Imo East ) etc, also joined.
