No president in Nigeria, Sen Abaribe argues

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe caused a stir at Senate plenary on Tuesday, when he argued before the red Chambers, that there was a vacuum in government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Abaribe queried what he described as the vacuum created in the country, following the two-day absence of the Acting President, Professor Osinbajo, since President Muhammadu Buhari was also outside the country at the same time.

Osinbajo travelled to Ethiopia on Sunday to attend an African Union (AU) meeting. He is expected back later today.

“The Acting President is the head of government now. We have a serious problem. As of today, there is nobody who is the head of government. The law and the procedure state that you cannot have a vacuum. The Acting President is out of the country and there is a vacuum,” Abaribe stated.

Read also: Senate mulls Osinbajo’s impeachment, insist Magu must go

For about five minutes, the Red Chamber was rowdy. Lawmakers from the South West, with minimal support from their North East colleagues, countered Abaribe whose voice was drowned.

He was immediately countered by Senator Kabiru Marafa who referred his colleagues to Order 53(4) of the Senate Standing Rules.

“The issue Abaribe raised is not part of the issue before hand. We may have to discuss that at another day if need be. I have to rule you out of order Abaribe,” Saraki ruled.

 

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