Saraki, Ekweremadu, Dogara Other NASS Lawmakers Threatened Buhari With Impeachment, Hammer IGP With No-confidence Vote

Senate President Bukola Saraki, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, and Speaker House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, during a joint session of the National Assembly on Tuesday, June 5, 2018, have threatened to commence impeachment procedure against President Muhammadu Buhari.

The National Assembly maintained that if Buhari fails to steer the ship of state in a much more civilized manner in line with the rule of law expected in a constitutional democracy, they would not hesitate to evoke its Constitutional powers.

This was part of the resolution of joint session where the National Assembly also reaffirmed its resolution of vote of no confidence on Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris.

The resolutions were read by Senate President Bukola Saraki.

“We also hereby reaffirm our earlier resolution on the vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police, who does nothing but preside over innocent Nigerians with an outright disregard for the constitutional authority of both the executive and the legislature,” Saraki said.

The joint session also agreed that President Muhammadu Buhari must be held accountable for the actions of his appointees and sanction erring appointees.

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“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 Senate had earlier in May 2018 declared the IGP as an ‘enemy of democracy’ and that he is unfit to hold a public office. The announcement was made after the police boss refused to appear in person before the lawmakers after he was summoned earlier on two different occasions.

The IGP was summoned over the spate of killings in some parts of the country.

Both chambers, during the joint session, however, gave marching orders to security agencies to protect Nigerians and curtail incessant killings by gunmen.

“The Security Agencies must be given marching orders to curtail the sustained killings of Nigerians across the country and protect life and properties of Nigerians as this is the primary duty of any responsible Government.”

In the 12 – point resolution, the lawmakers also tasked Mr President to provide employment to the teeming youths following the increasing buoyancy of government.

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They warned against rigging in the coming elections and continued persecution of National Assembly Members by police. They also called on the international community to save Nigerian Democracy from collapsing.

Similarly they warned him to be circumspect in being selective in the fight against corruption which according to them is skewed against the opposition and even members of the ruling APC who have stood against the perceived misrule of the Buhari administration.

The eleven resolution are as follows:

1. The Security Agencies must be given marching orders to curtail the sustained killings of Nigerians across the country and protect life and properties of Nigerians as this is the primary duty of any responsible Government.

2. 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.

3. There must be strict adherence to the Rule of Law and protection for all citizens by the President and his appointees.

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4. 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.

5. The Government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them.

6. The sanctity of the National Assembly should be protected and preserved the Federal Government of Nigeria by not interfering in its business and prosecuting those who invaded the Senate to seize the mace.

7a.  National Assembly should liaise with International Communities through the IPU,  APU,  ECOWAS,  CPA,  Parliament,  Pan African Parliament, EU,  UN,  US congress and UK Parliament to secure our democracy.

b.  Democratic elections must be competitive and inclusive by removing the present reign  of fear and intimidation particularly as we approach the forthcoming 2019 elections.

8.    The National Assembly will work closely with Civil Society Organisations, Trade Unions and NGOs to further deepen and protect our democracy

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9.  The President must take immediate steps to contain the growing level of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria especially now that we have advantage of the oil price having risen to $80 per barrel.

10. Both chambers of the National Assembly hereby pass a vote of  confidence on the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the entire leadership of the National Assembly.

11. We reaffirm our earlier resolution of vote of no confidence on the Inspector General of Police who does nothing other than preside over the killing of innocent Nigerian and consistent framing up of perceived political opponents of the President and outright disregard for constitutional authority, both executive and legislative.

12. Finally, the National Assembly will not hesitate to evoke its Constitutional powers if nothing is done to address the above resolutions passed today.