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APC alleges PDP of planning to attack its senators

By Timileyin Omilana
14 August 2018   |   12:39 pm
Nigeria's ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised an alarm that there are fresh plans by the opposition People's Democratic Party to attack some of its Senators. The party said while several attempts to buy over APC Senators with N100million each have failed, the PDP has 'real and imminent sinister plans' as part of 'PDP’s…

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun; All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN); President Muhammadu Buhari; APC Governorship Candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and APC National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole at the party’s mega rally in Ado-Ekiti…July 9, 2018.

Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised an alarm that there are fresh plans by the opposition People’s Democratic Party to attack some of its Senators.

The party said while several attempts to buy over APC Senators with N100million each have failed, the PDP has ‘real and imminent sinister plans’ as part of ‘PDP’s desperate bid to ensure that Dr. Bukola Saraki clings to the position of Senate President’.

Saraki, who only defected from the ruling party July 31st, 2018, has come under different summons, requesting for his resignation as the President of Nigeria senate.

On Friday, APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole urged APC senators to explore legal means for the Senate President’s impeachment.

Oshiomole, who had initially said it was expected that the Senate President would resign his position after defecting, also accused Saraki of anti-party activities while in the ruling party.

In a statement by its Acting national publicity, Yekini Nabena said that PDP has ‘recruited thugs for this purpose’ and because the APC still has the majority in the Senate, PDP is trying to harm APC senators to prevent them from attending legislative sittings.

“We were informed that the plot was hatched in the private residence of a PDP leader in Maitama-Abuja on Sunday night. The meeting was attended by 15 pro-Saraki Senators including the Senate President himself,” Nabena said.

“We learnt that the PDP expressed worry over the APC’s Senate majority and considered several options to stop the APC from taking over the Senate leadership among which is attacking some APC Senators to ensure their inability to attend legislative sittings.”

The ruling party called on security agents to protect its senators and should also “closely monitor the activities of some PDP leaders including Saraki. The party also said if any of its any Senator is harmed, the PDP and the Senate president should be held directly responsible.

APC again reiterated their call for Saraki’s immediate resignation as Senate President stating that Saraki “cannot lead the APC majority Senate. But if he fails to resign honourably, we will impeach him. The PDP’s propaganda and threat of violence cannot save him.”

The party also, in the statement alleged of Saraki of ‘high treason’ for not reconvening the National Assembly.

Recall that, the National Assembly adjourned for annual recess on July 24 and is officially set to reconvene on September 25, but there have been several pleas from the Nigerian government calling on the lawmakers to reconvene to consider the 2019 general election budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Although the principal officers of the federal lawmakers held a meeting with INEC chairman last Tuesday and were expected to reconvene for a special session this week.

Contrarily, a statement on Tuesday, signed by Yusuph Olaniyonu and Turaki Hassan, media aide to the Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively said the lawmakers will not reconvene because of the committee of works which is yet to kick start.

“The joint committees were also expected to meet with the joint Senate and House Committees on Appropriations, Loans and Debts on the Eurobond loan request after which two reports would have been ready for presentation in the two chambers.”

However, APC said the ‘decision not to reconvene the National Assembly done with the support of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara further buttresses our position the Saraki is ever ready to pursue his selfish interests over National Interest.’

They said the “2019 budget of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is dangerously delayed.”

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