As the Nigerian Senate resumed its plenary session today at the National Assembly in Abuja, many issues were treated by the lawmakers as there were also threats of impeachment, assault and more at the floor of the upper chamber.
Senator during a plenary session
Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber broke into an uproar today with some members threatening President Muhammad Buhari with impeachment, and Senator Dino Melaye threatening to ‘impregnate’ Remi Tinubu, the wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
The Senators who met behind closed doors were incensed by the proposed trial of the leadership of the Senate for forgery.
Shortly after commencement of a plenary session, some Senators called on their colleagues, led by Senators Suleiman Othman Hunkuyi (APC Kaduna North) and Kabir Marafa (APC Zamfara Central) to sheathe their sword and withdraw the petition that had led to the criminal prosecution of Senate President Bukola Saraki and his Deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.
The Executive Session, which was chaired by Saraki, also reminded the Senate that a committee led by former Senate President David Mark had been set up to “reconcile” members. Curiously, David Mark stood and said he was not informed that he chairs such a committee and that he didn’t know any members. He was simply told to do his “work”.
Shortly after that, Senator Dino Melaye (APC Kogi West) said in his remarks that the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, must be brought before the Senate to be thoroughly grilled and humiliated for charging the Senate leadership with forgery in court.
Senator Melaye called on the Senators in attendance to fight the presidency to a standstill. In his rant, he issued a wide variety of threats.
Recognized to speak, Senator Remi Tinubu (APC) Lagos Central said the Senate should not be reduced to a kindergarten where Senators could just issue childish threats, and called on Senators to close ranks and seek reconciliation amongst its members.
That was when Dino Melaye flew into rage, calling her names. “I will beat you up on this floor and nothing will happen,” he threatened.
The statement caused a commotion on the floor as Senators in her support gathered to protect her. Senate President Saraki nodded as Melaye called mrs. Tinubu unprintable names according to Senators who intervened to save her from the rampaging Melaye.
Leading the offensive in support of Melaye were Senators Danjuma Goje, Jibrin Barau, Isa Misau and Peter Nwaoboshi.
A source told SaharaReporters there had been a series of meetings at the home of Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto) to plot a total onslaught on President Buhari in the coming days.
In addition, the Senators held to be behind the current forgery trial were threatened by the like-minded Senators, with Melaye threatening to kill anyone who shows up in court to testify against Saraki and Ekweremadu.
The rancor between the Senate and the Presidency is expected to escalate leading to a summons to the new Inspector General of Police who will be forced to declare AGF Malami wanted if he refuses to show up at the Senate from there it was gathered that Senators opposed to Buhari would start impeachment proceedings against him.
Senators who spoke to SaharaReporters said the Senators supporting Saraki are united in crime and corruption because they’ve never had it so good, with over N260 billion padded into the budget in constituency projects, and sundry line items smuggled into the 2016 budget for their individual benefit.
There is, however, a seeming crack in Saraki’s camp as some members have already pulled out or reduced their open support for him due to his many scandals. Senator Ali Ndume (APC) Borno South, for instance, has fallen out with the Senate President because he was openly accused of being too close to Buhari and nursing the ambition of becoming the Senate President. Ndume was absent from today’s gathering.