Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber broke into an
uproar today with some members threatening President Muhammad Buhari
with impeachment, and Dino Melaye threatening to ‘impregnate’ Remi
Tinubu, the wife of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader.
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, Mr. 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.
Mr. 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 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 Presient 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.
