The Parliamentary Support Group (PSG), pro-Muhammadu Buhari’s lawmakers in the senate and House of Representatives, has dissociated itself from any move to impeach the president.
It would be recalled that a joint closed door executive session of both chambers of the national assembly held on Tuesday had resolved to impeach the president unless he addressed some issues.
Some of the issues are that: “The security agencies must be given marching orders to curtail the sustained killings of Nigerians across the country and protect lives and properties of Nigerians as this is the primary duty of any responsible government.
“The systematic harassment and humiliation by the executive of perceived political opponents, people with contrary opinions, including legislators and judiciary, by the police and other security agencies must stop.
“There must be strict adherence to the rule of law and protection for all citizens by the President and his appointees.
“The President must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and must be ready to sanction those that carry out any act which will ridicule or endanger our country and democracy.
“The government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective, and also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them.
“The sanctity of the national assembly should be protected and preserved by the federal government of Nigeria by not interfering in its business, but prosecute those who invaded the Senate to seize the mace.”
The legislators stated that should the president fail to act, the national assembly will not “hesitate to invoke its constitutional powers” and move against him.
But in it reaction to the impeachment threat, the PSG, in a statement signed by Mr. Abdulmumin Jibrin (APC) member representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, Kano State), alleged that “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 as the entire session could easily pass for a PDP executive session.”
It said most of the issues raised concerning the fight against corruption, insecurity and the rule of law had been severally discussed in the senate and the House and various resolutions passed.
The group urged that “we must exercise caution at this delicate period not to overheat the polity with statements that are capable of dividing the country, embarrassing us before the watching world and creating friction between the legislature, executive and specifically Mr. President.”
The full statement is reproduced below:
The Parliamentary Support Group of the Senate and House of Representatives is aware of the joint executive session of the national assembly held today (Tuesday) and wish to state as follows:
That 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 as the entire session could easily pass for a PDP executive session
That it is commendable that the Speaker tactically refused to make any comment at the session even after the Senate President took time to explain the issues which are mostly personal
That it is disturbing and raised many questions of pre-determined intentions that a known ally of the Senate President from Kwara State Hon. Rasak Atunwa drafted what was adopted as the resolution and without voting against standard parliamentary practice
That most of the issues raised concerning the fight against corruption, insecurity and the rule of law has been severally discussed in the Senate and the House and various resolutions passed.
That 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.
That every senator or member of 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
That the national assembly should as well look inward and address the issue of suffocating Senators and members with dissenting or contrary opinion through coercion or extra legal means
That the PDP should recall how its members in the 7th Assembly sat comfortably in the chamber and watched a sitting Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal locked out of the national assembly and all his security personnels (sic) withdrawn while APC members had to scale the fence to gain entrance into the national assembly
That we must exercise caution at this delicate period not to overheat the polity with statements that are capable of dividing the country, embarrassing us before the watching world and creating friction between the legislature, executive and specifically Mr. President.
We wish to reaffirm our support to Mr. President as he works assiduously towards dealing with the challenges of our country
Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin
For Parliamentary Support Group
Senate and House of Representatives
