The conspirators at work: President of the Senate Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara with deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu at the Joint session
Details of what transpired during Tuesday’s secret emergency joint session of the National Assembly have been revealed.
The details show that all those who passed a resolution to begin impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari if he does not do their biddings were mainly lawmakers from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The PDP lawmakers were tacitly supported by the Senate President Bukola Saraki and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara.
This much was made known in a statement by Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC-Kano) on behalf of the Parliamentary Support Group of the Senate and House of Representatives.
The group said that all members that spoke at the joint session were mainly members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
During the secret meeting, the lawmakers passed a 12-point resolution calling on the executive to implement them or risk a constitutional sanction.
“Almost all the members and senators that spoke at the Executive Session are of the PDP while members of the APC declined joining the discussion to avoid a rowdy confrontation,” Jibrin revealed.
He observed that the Speaker, House of Representatives, “tactically” refused to make any comment at the session “even after the Senate President took time to explain the issues which are mostly personal”.
He alleged that a known ally of the Senate President from Kwara, Rep Rasak Atunwa, drafted what was adopted as the resolution of the session without allowing for voting.
Senate President Bukola Saraki on a mission
“It is disturbing and raised many questions of pre-determined intentions,” Jibrin said.
He said most of the issues raised during the session, concerning the fight against corruption, insecurity and the rule of law have earlier been severally discussed in the Senate and the House and various resolutions passed.
“We commend the efforts of Mr President in the fight against corruption, tackling of the insecurity challenges and respect for rule of law and democratic institutions. Mr President is known for his non-interference policy.
“Every Senator or Member of the House who has corruption or criminal allegation against him or her should clear his or her name without dragging the entire institution of the National Assembly into the matter, Jibrin said.
He advised the National Assembly to look inward and address issues suffocating senators and members with dissenting or contrary opinion through coercion or extra legal means.
“We must exercise caution at this delicate period not to over-heat the polity with statements that are capable of dividing the country, embarrassing us before the watching world and creating friction between the legislature and the executive, specifically Mr President.
“We wish to reaffirm our support to Mr President as he works assiduously towards dealing with the challenges of our country,” Jibrin said.
