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Nigeria’s members of Parliament on Tuesday threatened to take the highest legislative action against President Muhammadu Buhari over unabated attacks on the democratic institution and spate of insecurity in the country.
BusinessDay gathered that some aggrieved lawmakers have already collected over 100 signatures that will culminate in serving impeachment signature notice to the President.
Gudaje Kazaure (APC-Jigawa) disclosed this at the end of over three hours closed door session held by Senators and members of the House of Representatives.
Kazaure who confirmed the collection of signature, however noted that the move was halted by Speaker Yakubu Dogara who expressed optimism that the issue will be addressed at the joint session.
“It is true that some people are collecting signatures in the name of serving impeachment notice. It is just the leadership, Speaker Dogara that said they should keep that aside.
“But I know that even if they serve the President with the impeachment notice, it will not work,” the Jigawa lawmaker said authoritatively.
According to him, some Northern lawmakers numbering 162 members who are loyal to President Buhari had floated a pressure group called Justice and Fairness, to protect the interest on the heels of the lingering crisis.
He added that some Senators are also aligning with their House of Representatives’ counterparts to thwart the impeachment plan or any other steps aimed at ridiculing the President.
Kazaure also alleged that the impeachment moves were spare-headed by some members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), namely Kingsley Chinda (PDP-Rivers) and Ossai Nicholas Ossai (PDP-Delta).
While reacting to question on the counter-move to impeach Speaker Dogara by Buhari’s faithfuls, he argued that based on unanimous resolution taken by both Chambers, nobody will spare-headed impeachment of both the Speaker and Senate President.
Meanwhile, a cross section of the lawmakers from the North however kicked against a proposal to initiate impeachment process against President Muhammadu Buhari, as part of measure to checkmate him.
During the joint sitting, the lawmakers to review the various issues ranging from the unabated attacks on the principal officers of the Institution as well as disaffection between the two arms of government.
The joint session which was initiated by the leadership of both Chambers cane on the heel of the withdrawal of the security operatives attached to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu as well as Speaker Yakubu Dogara and his deputy, Yussuff Lasun last Sunday.
The lawmakers across party lines also passaged ‘vote of no confidence’ on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris over the persistent disregard for Parliament and attack on the principal officers of the National Assembly.
According to sources privy to the discussion held during the closed door meeting which lasted for over three hours, the lawmakers mulled plans to embark on foreign missions campaign with the view to highlight the seeming Executive recklessness which may truncate democratic practice in the country.
According to the resolution adopted during the meeting, the lawmakers called for sack of members of Buhari’s cabinet who performed below expectations.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
