“The fact is that all Senators sworn to protect the rule of law know that there are only three ways a Senate President ceases to be one: S/he dies, resigns or is impeached by 2/3 of the total number of Senators. As we speak, APC will need 73 Senators to impeach Saraki, and another 2/3 for HoR to remove Dogara. I have no doubt that if the statutory numbers are secured,the presiding officers can be replaced.
All the talk about impeachment and making trouble in the Chambers will not change this.It can, however, do a lot of damage to critical matters of state by delaying debate and decisions on INEC’s budget, the amended Electoral Act and the FG’s borrowing plans.There are also many other issues that can only be handled by a calm and responsible legislature such as the 2019 budget proposals,screening of many nominees and bills for which the President is withholding assent.It will do tremendous damage to the APC administration if its legislators constitute an obstacle to orderly legislative processes.
Hopefully, all persons with responsibility to lead will do so responsibly.An APC majority in the Senate can exercise its advantages in many ways without risking vital interests that are central to its administration’s impact, particularly now that it needs to improve its scorecard.Unending trouble and crises will actually play into the hands of the PDP, and Nigerians may not have the stomach for trouble which can be avoided.
In the interest of full disclosure, I should say that I am Chief of Staff to President of the Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki. Thank you!”
