The National Assembly yesterday sent a warning signal to President Muhammadu Buhari to either ensure strict adherence to the 12- point resolution it made or get impeached through invocation of relevant provisions of the constitution.
One of such resolutions passed by the National Assembly at a joint closed-door session which lasted for about three and half hours in the Green Chamber was a no-confidence vote passed on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris.
At the session chaired by Senate President Bukola Saraki, the lawmakers also warned that the 2019 general elections must not be rigged, vowing to liaise with the international community in securing democracy in Nigeria.
Reading the resolutions after the session, Saraki said: “The security agencies must be given marching orders to curtail the sustained killings of Nigerians across the country and protect lives and propertyof Nigerians as this is the primary duty of any responsible government.
“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.
“There must be strict adherence to the rule of law and protection for all citizens by the president and his appointees. 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 government should show sincerity in the fight against corruption by not being selective, and should also prosecute current appointees that have cases pending against them.
“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.
“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.
“Democratic elections must be competitive and inclusive by removing the present reign of fear and intimidation, particularly, as we approach the forthcoming 2019 elections.
“The National Assembly will work closely with Civil Society Organisations, Trade Unions and NGOs to further deepen and protect our democracy
“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.
“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.
“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 Nigerians and consistent framing up of perceived political opponents of the president and outright disregard for constitutional authority, both executive and legislative.
“Finally, the National Assembly will not hesitate to evoke its constitutional powers if nothing is done to address the above resolutions passed today.”
Earlier, before the joint session, the Senate held a one and half hours closed-door session (from 11:00am to 12:30pm before moving to the House of Representatives.
It was, however, observed that by 4:00pm when Saraki read out the 12-point resolution adopted at the joint session, federal legislators on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), far outnumbered those of their counterparts in the ruling All Progressives Congress ( APC).
Visibly missing out at the meeting were staunch supporters of President Buhari like; Senator Adamu Abdullahi (APC, Nasarawa West) and Kabiru Marafa ( APC Zamfara Central), among others.
While Abdullahi angrily stormed out of the National Assembly premises at about 12:35 pm after the Senate’s closed- door session, Marafa went for public hearing session on Petroleum Industry Bills.
We ‘re vindicated – PDP
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party, yesterday said the resolutions of the joint session of the National Assembly on the Buhari Presidency is a vindication of its stance.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, commended the lawmakers for their patriotism and courage in unanimously standing up for democracy, rule of law, national stability and cohesion at this trying time.
“Nigerians would recall that the PDP had consistently pointed to the misrule of the Buhari Presidency, as well as the unrelenting violations of our constitution, unprecedented executive highhandedness, abuse of the rights of citizens and the erosion of all known democratic norms under this administration.
“These are in addition to the foisting of siege mentality on Nigerians as well as presidential aloofness to important issues of state, thereby resulting in the escalation violence, killings and daily bloodlettings in our country.
“From the above, it has become evident that Mr. President must be called to order through an appropriate legislative instrument. The PDP therefore calls on all democrats, across board, irrespective of party affiliations, to come together, support the National Assembly and save our democracy from the misrule of the Buhari presidency,” the party pleaded.
