Like Reps, senators want Buhari impeached (Updated)

President Muhammadu Buhari may soon face an impeachment notice, going by the feelings being expressed by federal lawmakers.

The Senate on Thursday, fell short of activating Section 143 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, which sets in motion the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The latest move was in reaction to the alleged violation of Section 80 of the same 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended by Buhari, wherein he withdrew $496 million from the Excess Crude Account to purchase military helicopters without any approval by the National Assembly.

The motion was moved by Senator Matthew Urhoghide and seconded by Senator Chukwuka Utazi.

The matter has been referred to the Senate committee on Judiciary for further legislative advice. The committee is expected to report back next Wednesday.

Recall the House of Representatives on Tuesday got highly enraged as President Buhari confirmed that he actually authorised the purchase of $462 million fighter jets for the military without appropriation by the National Assembly.
The angry Reps members, who could not stomach the development, described the action of Buhari as an impeachable offence, highest level of misconduct and suggested commencing processes to impeach the President.

The senators in towing the same line of thought, said it was time to be decisive on the breach by the president.

Buhari is accused of withdrawing $496 million from the Excess Crude Account which belongs to the three tiers of government.

The said money was used for the purchase of military helicopters from the United States Government.

Senator Urhoghide, who moved the impeachment notice, described the action of Buhari as an impeachable offence. He called on his colleagues to support the move. Urhoghide is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Urhoghide said: “This matter yesterday was raised by me to say that this request that was sought by Mr President is procedurally wrong. What has been read by the leader this morning was that this matter has been referred to the appropriate committee for the inclusion of this amount of money that has already been spent.

“This ought to have been the first request to this senate. We must put it on record that this is a violation of procedure as stated in the 1999 constitution.

“The objective of the expenditure is very well established but the procedure is wrong. There are serious consequences for violation of our constitution. As a consequence, the only thing we can draw from on this is that we call on you, Mr President, to invoke section 143 of the constitution. Because, what it means is that this matter is not to be investigated. It is clear that this offence has been committed by Mr President.

Read also: Senators summon Buhari, demand he addresses joint session of N’assembly

“I want this senate to resolve that what the president did is procedurally wrong and a violation of our constitution, it must be condemned and of course, the consequences of section 143 of our constitution should be invoked. I so move Mr President.”

Seconding the motion, another PDP member, Senator Chukwuka Utazi, said lawmakers will be ridiculed if they refused to defend the constitution of the country, which he said President Buhari swore to uphold.

While condemning the action of Buhari, Senator Shehu Sani, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), kicked against the impeachment moves.

He, however, suggested that the agreement be voided and the money returned to the confers of the Federal Government, pending when a constitutional approval will be given by the National Assembly.

Another APC senator, Abu Ibrahim from Katsina State, supported Buhari’s action. He said the action of the President was not out of place, since the decision was taken in the interest of the country.

Deputy Leader of the Senate, Bala Ibn Na’Allah, in his intervention, called for caution. He urged his colleagues to refer the issue to the Senate committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to advice the Senate on the next line of action.

Through a voice vote, the Senate adopted Na’Allah’s prayer and the matter was subsequently referred to David Umaru-led committee. The committee is expected to submit its recommendations next Wednesday.

President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki, who presided, urged his colleagues to maintain their cool until the committee advises them on the next constitutional line of action.

Notwithstanding, Saraki admitted that President Buhari breached the constitution, by unilaterally withdrawing the money from the nation’s confers without any approval by the parliament.
By Ehisuan Odia…

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