Fireworks in Senate over president’s comment on Gadafi

Heated debate ensued on the floor of the Senate yesterday, over President Muhammadu Buhari’s claim that killer- herdsmen marauding in parts of the country were trained by late Libyan leader, Muammar Gadaffi . It took spirited attempts by Senate President Bukola Saraki to prevent the situation from getting out of control between Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe ( PDP Abia South ) and some APC  Senator Abaribe stoked the fire when he drew the attention of the upper chamber to what he described as the unbecoming statement of President Buhari in London on Wednesday.

President Buhari was widely quoted to have told the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, in Abuja House, in London, that the killer-herdsmen terrorising the country were trained and armed by the late Libyan leader. The president was reported to have added that when Gadaffi was killed, the gunmen escaped with their arms to parts of West African countries, including Nigeria.

“We encountered some of them fighting with Boko Haram” Buhari was quoted to have told Welby. But Abaribe appeared to have been off ended by the presidential declaration linking Gadaffi to herdsmen attacks in the country. He wondered why President Buhari was still being indulged after what appeared consistent signs of weakness to protect the country.

The lawmaker said, “this chamber has discussed the killings in Nigeria. I recall that on the matter of herdsmen and farmers’ clashes, two explanations were given by highly Fireworks in Senate over president’s comment on Gadaffi ranked security personnel. The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris said that these killings were as a result of laws being passed by states. “Secondly, the Defence Minister, Mansur Dan-Ali said that these killings were as a result of the blockage of grazing routes. And we continued to look at all these explanations.

“Yesterday, in London, the Commander-in-Chief and President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari said that these killings were as a result of the people who were trained by Muammar Gaddafi . “Mr. President was implying that these people who are doing the killings in Nigeria are invaders from outside of Nigeria. “If so, it validates my point in this chamber that when a Commander-in-Chief says he cannot take care of invaders, why is he still a Commander-in-Chief? “Why do we still continue to indulge this president that goes around to tell everybody outside this country that he is totally incompetent? It is obvious…” Some senators found Abaribe’s choice of words distasteful and hard on the President.

Intense murmuring ensued as some lawmakers attempted to shout Abaribe down. Abaribe stood his ground and insisted on having his say. At this point, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, promptly raised a Point of Order to cut Abaribe short. Lawan raised Order 53 (7) on the need to avoid the use of offensive words in the Senate.

He said, “the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the leader of this country and deserves the respect and courtesy of this chamber and those of us in it. I was once a member of the opposition and I do not recall ever calling the then president incompetent or insult him. “This is our institution. If we do not conduct ourselves with respect, nobody will.

I want to ask my colleague to immediately withdraw his statement and apologise to this chamber.” In his intervention, Senate President Saraki asked Abaribe to be guided as an elder statesman.

Saraki said it was obvious that Abaribe used certain words that were unacceptable, even as he asked Abaribe if he had concluded his submissions as tempers rose in the chamber. He added, “we can make our points without using words that are off ensive. Please be guided accordingly.” Abaribe, who seemed to be determined to push to the end said: “I am very well guided by you (Saraki) but there are words that there are no alternatives to. What I did was to interpret the words by Mr. President in London. If any word I used is misunderstood by anyone, I apologise.

“What I am saying is simple. The heads of security in Nigeria made several explanations for the killings of our people. It shows that there is a disconnect…”, but continued discord in the chamber did not allow Abaribe to conclude. Before Abaribe could take the floor, Deputy Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah raised another Point of Order also aimed at stopping the Abia South lawmaker from continuing on his line of action. Na’Allah said, senators are forbidden by the rule to discuss the conduct of the president or judicial officers without a substantive motion. Saraki sustained Na’Allah’s Point of Order to halt Abaribe’s submission.

Some senators were seen crowding Abaribe’s seat after Saraki’s ruling in apparent move to prevail on him to sheath his sword. And in a fast move, Saraki quickly signalled to the Senate Leader to move to the next item on the Order Paper.

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