By Nathaniel Zacchaeus and Cross Udo, Abuja
The Senate has asked its Committee on Special Duties, chaired by Senator Shehu Kaka, to investigate the alleged moves by some disgruntled senators to impeach the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
An online platform, Order Paper, reported early yesterday that personnel of the Department of State Service (DSS) had taken over the nation’s parliament to forestall possible impeachment.
Our correspondent’s investigations revealed that there was no unusual security beef-up at the National Assembly’s entry or exit points, and no one was sighted within the premises.
However, there was apprehension about Akpabio’s sudden arrival from an international parliamentary event to preside over the plenary yesterday.
It was learnt that Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who presided over plenary on Tuesday, was billed to be in charge of Wednesday and Thursday.
But Akpabio dismissed the story as fake and insisted that the red chamber was stable and that his position was not threatened.
He said, “We are here sitting down doing your work very peacefully, oblivious of the report that is going on behind us.”
After a brief consultation, the Senate President said the red chamber had resolved to probe the news, and he referred it to the Committee on Special Duties.
He said, “The fake news is hereby referred to the committee on special duty to report back in 24 hours. That is part of those things we pass on a daily basis. They use AI to drag traffic or get paid on YouTube. I hope the public realises that this is fake. Senator Kaka, please investigate and get back to us as soon as possible.”
Immediately after the plenary, Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, chairman of the Northern Senators Forum, and Yemi Adaramodu, spokesperson for the Senate, told journalists that the news on the impeachment was fake.
*Report over plan to impeach Akpabio, baseless- Presidency
The Presidency described the purported plan to impeach the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, as baseless.
The Presidency said that President Bola Tinubu, in line with his dedication to a harmonious working relationship among senators, recognized the critical role of the Senate in driving legislative progress.
Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senate, Senator Basheer Ladoja, in a statement titled “Presidency Committed to Harmonious Working Relationship among Lawmakers in the National Assembly,” said that Tinubu remained committed to ensuring that the collaboration is based on mutual respect, dialogue, and shared goals for peace, progress, and prosperity for all Nigerians.
The statement read, “The attention of this office has been drawn to online reports that security agents have been deployed to prevent senators from carrying out their legislative duties, specifically about an alleged impeachment of the Senate President.
“I wish to categorically state that these reports are baseless and should be disregarded as there is no discord within the rank and file of the senators. The legislative body, under the leadership of the Senate President, remains united in its commitment to the advancement of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in line with his dedication to a harmonious working relationship among the senators, recognizes the critical role of the Senate in driving legislative progress.
“His Excellency remains steadfast in his commitment to ensuring that this collaboration is based on mutual respect, dialogue, and shared goals for peace, progress and prosperity of all Nigerians, and he is confident in the Senate’s ability to drive legislative progress.”
“The Senate continues to function freely and without interference, and any security presence within the National Assembly Complex is for the routine safety and protection of legislators and staff.
“I therefore urge the public to exercise their discernment and disregard such unfounded publications which could undermine the integrity of the legislature. Your vigilance is crucial in maintaining the credibility of our democratic institutions.”
