The Nation Newspaper

Tag: APC senators

  • JUST IN: APC Senators increase to 76 as Jarigbe dumps PDP

    JUST IN: APC Senators increase to 76 as Jarigbe dumps PDP

    The number of All Progressives Congress (APC) senators in the National Assembly has increased to 76 following the defection of Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (Cross River North) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday.

    Jarigbe, who had earlier announced his decision to join the ruling party last week, formally crossed over to the APC side during plenary.

    His defection letter was read by Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin, who presided over the session.

    Explaining his decision, Jarigbe cited “divisions within the PDP” as the reason for leaving the opposition party.

    With his defection, the PDP now holds 25 seats in the Senate, while the Labour Party has 4, APGA 2, SDP 1, and NNPP 1—bringing the total to 109 senators.

    The development also means that all three senatorial seats in Cross River State are now occupied by APC members, including Senator Eteng Williams (Cross River Central) and Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River South).

  • Buhari to APC senators-elect: Shun erroneous path of 8th Senate

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night advised senators-elect on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to avoid the erroneous path of 8th Senate.

    He gave the advice while hosting the APC senators-elect and some state governors to a dinner at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    The President regretted some wrong actions and decisions of the 8th National Assembly.

    He specifically recalled the deliberate and persistent delay in passing the nation’s annual budget by the National Assembly.

    Urging the in-coming 9th National Assembly to do things differently from the outgoing 8th Senate, he said that it will enable his administration achieve its target of transforming the nation.

    He said “This is my fifth and last time of standing for an election – for that reason I’ll like to leave something behind.

    “And what I want to leave cannot be successfully done without your support.

    “So, that is why I’m appealing for your support. What happened in the last senate and so on is regrettable because I still feel it shouldn’t take seven months to pass a budget. You have a very, very serious job ahead of you.

    “So, what I’m appealing is that any major decision you are going to take please reflect more on the country than yourself as a person – what effect will it have on the country,’’ he said.

    Promising to work and partner with the 9th national assembly in promoting peace, stability and economic prosperity in the country, the president thanked the governors and senators-elect for their support and understanding.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the dinner, the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, said the whole purpose of the event was to bond the new and old senators, to establish a new relationship between the executive and the legislature.

    He said: “The system talks about the separation of powers between the executive and legislature and the two must handshake for things to happen.

    “And when you have a president that is determined to drive changes, fundamental changes that will affect our habits, our life style, review the economy, deal with the security situation, fight corruption as fiercely as he is trying to do, he will need a very supportive legislative arm of government.

    “And happily, the Nigerian people have given us the number in the legislative arm of government.

    “All we have agreed today is that we will use these numbers as a functioning whole to determine the leadership of the senate in a way that we are not going to go to the floor of the senate and allow the opposition dictate who becomes the senate president.

    “Because, we have comfortable majority to drive that, what we have to do is to manage that majority.’’

    Also speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong said: “What the president has done today, I think is the right step in the right direction.

    “The last time we did not have the opportunity of this politics but today, Mr. President invited us. Because, we are governors and we also dialogue with our senators.

    “Mr President said in order to avoid rancor, let me lay the way forward and we are very happy he has laid the way forward and because of that we are all going to work towards achieving the desire of Mr President for the good of this country.’’ he said

    On his part, Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari said “We all remembered what happened at the last assembly, and Mr. President through the national chairman said that we should work hand in hand to ensure that we come out as one party.

    “We are assured the President that we are going to give him full cooperation to ensure we boost the Nigerian economy, security and fight against corruption.”

  • Buhari, APC senators meet in Aso Rock

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night met behind closed doors with All Progressives Congress (APC) senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The senators included serving senators and senators-elect on the platform of the party.

    Some of the APC state governors who attended the dinner, included Lagos, Plateau, Kogi, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi, Zamfara, Osun.

    Among those at the meeting also included the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation,

    The President hosted them to dinner at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    Discussions at the dinner may not be unconnected with zoning and selection of the leadership of the 9th National Assembly.

    Read Also: Buhari appoints Jauro as NESREA DG

    Unlike in 2015 when the leadership was hijacked by senators, who didn’t get the blessings of the ruling party, the APC is determined to ensure that the next leadership of the National Assembly are in line with the wishes of the ruling party.

    The dinner, which started around 8pm, was still in progress at the time of filing this report.

    Senators already aspiring for the 9th National Assembly Senate Presidency included Senators Ahmed Lawan, Ali Ndume and Danjuma Goje.

  • APC senators ’ll dominate Ninth Assembly, says Alimikhena

    RETURNING senator representing Edo North Francis Alimikhena has declared that the Ninth Assembly would be dominated by members of All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Alimikhena spoke in Auchi after he was declared winner of the senatorial election.

    He defeated his opponent in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Abubakar Momoh, an engineer.

    Declaring the results, the Returning Officer, Prof. Moses Osawaru, said Alimikhena scored 117,783 votes to defeat Momoh, who got 80,752 votes.

    Osawaru said the senatorial district had a total of 633,384 registered voters with 204,920 votes cast and 5,208 voided votes.

    Osawaru said: “Francis Alimikhena of the APC, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

    Alimikhena thanked the people for re-electing him and assured them of adequate representation and massive development.

    “The 9th Assembly will be dominated by the All Progressives Congress members and the people of my senatorial district will witness increased developmental projects in the area.”

  • 2019 polls: Buhari, APC senators meet to boost victory

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday night met behind closed doors with the All Progressives Congress ( APC) senators towards victory for the party at the forthcoming general elections.

    The meeting, was held at the new Banquet Hall of the State House, for about two hours from 8p.m.

    Those in attendance included senatorial candidates of the APC, while serving senators were also led by the Senate Leader, Ahmad Lawan.

    Also at the meeting were the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole and the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Boss Mustapha.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the meeting, Oshiomhole said, ” basically the meeting was for the President to meet with the caucus of the Senate and the APC senatorial candidates.

    Read also: We don’t have money to dash out, says Buhari

    “The whole idea is for the president to have a direct interaction with the senators and the senatorial candidates of the APC.

    “So, that they will work hard and ensure that on the basis of one-man, one-vote, the outcome of the 2019 elections will be in our favour.

    “This is an opportunity for some of the senatorial candidates to meet with the president for the fist time.

    “Also, to compare and share notes on the campaigns of each of the senatorial district,” he said.

  • CJN’s suspension: APC senators on red alert

    All Progressives Congress (APC) senators are on red alert following tomorrow’s Senate emergency session to debate the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    Investigation showed that most APC senators under the aegis of the Buhari Parliamentary Support Group, are uncomfortable with the planned emergency session of the upper chamber.

    President Muhammadu announced the suspension of Justice Onnoghen on Friday and appointed Justice Tanko Mohammed as the acting CJN.

    The Senate has already concluded arrangements to reconvene tomorrow to take a position on the suspension of Justice Onnoghen.

    The Clerk to the Senate, Mr. Nelson Ayewoh, in a statement released yesterday, asked senators to resume sitting in plenary on tomorrow.

    It was gathered that the leadership of the Senate will meet ahead of tomorrow’s resumption to strategise before the resumption tomorrow. Senate President, Bukola Saraki is expected to preside over the leadership meeting.

    As at press time, Saraki was said to be conducting campaigns in home state, Kwara.

    It could not be confirmed if the leadership meeting planned to hold in Abuja would still take place.

    As source said: “As I speak to you, the Senate President is still in Offa, Kwara State. He is holding campaign meetings. From here, we will go to Ilorin. I don’t know when we will finish from here. I am also aware that a meeting of principal officers is supposed to hold this night (last night). That is all I can say.”

    APC senators are said to have concluded arrangements to meet with President Buhari today.

    Although details of the meeting with President Buhari are not yet known, it is said to have been scheduled to hold in the Presidential Villa.

    One of the APC senators, Kabiru Marafa, confirmed the meeting.

    Marafa said that the meeting is expected to hold by 7.30pm at the Presidential Villa.

    The senator’s meeting with the President may not be unconnected with strategies to counter moves by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the suspension of Justice Onnoghen.

    It was also gathered that there may a showdown in Senate between APC senators and their Peoples Democratic colleagues.

    A source said that the resumption of plenary notice by the Clerk to the Senate has raised palpable tension in the upper chamber.

    The notice of resumption reads in part: “This is to inform all Distinguished Senators of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that resumption of plenary earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 19th February, 2019, has now been rescheduled for Tuesday, 29th January, 2019.

    “Distinguished Senators are by this notice, requested to resume sitting in plenary on Tuesday 29th January, 2019 by 10:00am prompt please.”

    According to the source, the showdown may arise if the resolution taken is against President Buhari.

    He noted that the APC senators will oppose any resolution asking President Buhari to reverse himself on the CJN.

    APC senators are in simple majority of 56 members while PDP senator are 46.

    Also yesterday, the Coalition for United Political Parties (CUPP) alleged plots to forcefully effect a change in the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    The CUPP, at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, said the alleged plot is slated for execution tomorrow.

    Spokesman for the CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere, said available information indicated that some All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the two chambers have been mobilised to executive the plot.

    The CUPP spokesman alleged that the ruling party plans to replace Dr. Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and House Speaker.

  • APC senators meet as Saraki, Dogara weigh options

    Following uncertainty over the reconvening of the National Assembly, senators in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caucus yesterday summoned an emergency meeting.

    There were strong indications that most of the APC Senators were still insisting last night that Senate President Bukola Saraki must step down.

    The APC senators will, however, use yesterday’s meeting to take a position on the logjam in the National Assembly and the way forward.

    But Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara were weighing options last night on how to “overcome” the tension in the National Assembly.

    The support figures for Saraki and Dogara in the two chambers were said to be “not adding up” for comfortable majority to hold rancour-free sessions either way.

    It is unclear what will become of the 2019 poll budget which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  expects to be passed.

    The agenda of the meeting of the APC Senators was kept under wraps to avoid leakage, it was learnt. But, according to a source, the senators may deliberate on eight issues, namely:

    • A firm decision on Saraki by APC Senators
    • Resistance of alleged plot to declare Akpabio and other defectors vacant
    • Retention of the post of Senate Leader and other principal offices held by APC
    • Whether or not to accept a joint session of the two chambers
    • How to prevent ambush sitting in the two chambers by PDP
    • Solutions to the stalemate over 2019 poll budget
    • Averting a shutdown of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari
    • APC agenda for NASS Leadership meeting on Tuesday or Wednesday

    A ranking senator, who spoke in confidence, said: “The emergency meeting became necessary because we are getting fed up with the ongoing foot-dragging by the Senate leadership on the reconvening of the chamber to consider important state matters, especially the 2019 poll budget.

    “We have discovered that the National Assembly leaders are more occupied with the aftermath of pre-sitting tension in the country than the matters at hand.

    “But, we are saying the leaders should be courageous enough to reopen the two chambers. The interest of the country is more paramount than any other consideration.

    “So, we are meeting to take a position on the way forward for the National Assembly.”

    Another APC Senator said: “Our party has taken a position on Saraki and we are also meeting to come up with a firm decision as a caucus.

    “We have a challenge at hand. The Chairman of the National Assembly, Dr. Bukola Saraki, wants to have his cake and eat it. He is seeking to retain his plum seat. We are insisting that he cannot have his way. Let him step aside.

    “It was imperative for us to meet because we have heard of plot by PDP senators in cahoots with some of our leaders to ambush APC senators through kangaroo reconvening of the National Assembly.”

  • APC senators insist Saraki, Dogara must step down

    Three senators defection yet to be announced

    The battle for the control of the National Assembly seems to be getting tougher  – outside the two chambers.

    Despite the defection of some senators and members of the House of Representatives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), APC senators are insisting on their simple majority, which they believe will soon be more consolidated.

    Besides, they are insisting that Senate President Bukola Saraki and House Speaker Yakubu Dogara must step down when they eventually defect to the PDP – a move they are believed to be planning.

    Senators and members of the House of Representatives supporting President Muhammadu Buhari are back to the drawing board to sustain APC’s majority in the two chambers.

    They are demanding that Saraki and Dogara must step down if the APC retains the majority in the National Assembly by September 26 when the lawmakers end their annual recess.

    The lawmakers, who are mostly members of the Parliamentary Support Group (PSG), may ask Saraki to quit if he is put on trial over the Offa robbery. The Senate President insists on his innocence.

    He was quizzed yesterday by detectives investigating the incident in which no fewer than 33 people died.

    PSG members and some strategists of the President have been meeting on how to “consolidate APC’s majority” in the National Assembly.

    One of the issues on the agenda is Saraki’s refusal to read letters of defection of three senators,  who are defecting from PDP to APC. They are Hajiya Fatima Raji Rasaki; Hope Uzondima and Sunday Ogbuoji.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said Nigerians have not heard the last word on the defections in the National Assembly.

    He said: “We believe APC has the number to hold a simple majority in the two chambers, contrary to what our leaders have been telling the nation. Without Senator Saraki, APC senators are 53 and, of course, it is obvious that APC is in the majority in the House.

    “Pro-Buhari/ APC members of the National Assembly have had some sessions in the last 72 hours and our ultimate goal is to sustain our majority in the two chambers.

    “With the upcoming elections in two states and ongoing talks and reconciliation, we will certainly be up to 57 in the Senate.

    “All we are waiting for is for Saraki and Dogara to tell the nation whether they are defecting or not. Once they defect, we will insist that they must step down as our leaders.

    “By simple majority, we are expected to produce the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. We will not take anything less than that.”

    A PSG leader said: “Deep in their hearts, Saraki and Dogara know that they have some hurdles to cross. The option for Dogara is to remain a member of APC and keep his office. Once he abandons APC for PDP, he has to step aside. And if he does not defect, he won’t get any 2019 ticket in APC.”

    The thinking is that once Saraki defects, he will face a tough battle to retain his seat because, the source said, “we will draw a battle line with our simple majority”. “ It is this dilemma that has delayed them in announcing their next plan of action,” he added, pleading not to be named”.

    A former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, confirmed the demand of APC Senators and Representatives.

    He said: “If Saraki defects, he has to step down. That is what it should be. But, as of now, he has not announced, written or registered. He is only hobnobbing around with PDP. So that is what we have to wait for. If he announces his resignation from APC or his defection, he loses the Senate President’s seat automatically.

    “If Saraki defects to the PDP, he is still our colleague in the Senate, but he cannot remain the Senate President. That cannot work. But he will be a senator like me. The same thing applies to Dogara.

    “You cannot participate in PDP primaries while you remain in APC; it is not possible and you can’t remain in PDP and go and participate in APC primaries. Even the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines do not allow you to do that. You have to move to a certain party before a certain period and the period is usually before the primaries.

    “I remember in my own case, I moved from ANPP to PDP but I had to do that before the expiration of my time.”

    On the consequences of the defections on APC, Ndume said: “In fact, now, we are better off because we now know clearly the colour of the moles and the names of the moles that were living with us and most of these people had issues, which is why they left. Some of them have issues in their constituencies, some with their governors. You cannot say they are not important but they cannot do any damage; they are not indispensable.

    “Our meeting with the President has unified us. Before, some of the defectors were standing up to talk the way they wanted but now we have known true and committed APC senators and Representatives.”

     

  • APC Senators disenchanted with Oyegun over ‘plot’ with govs

    Several Senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are angry with the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for allegedly working to scuttle their return to the Red Chambers next year.

    The Senators, mainly from Bauchi, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara, believe Oyegun is working hand in hand with their governors to stop them from getting the party’s ticket for another term.

    The lawmakers used the opportunity of last Wednesday’s meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC with the Senate Caucus of the party to vent their anger on Oyegun, according to sources close to the deliberation.

    The meeting was essentially to find a solution to the persistent face-off between the executive and the legislative arms, especially the threat by the National Assembly to override Buhari’s veto of the new election order contained in the Electoral Act as amended and the elongation of the tenure of the NWC.

    One of the sources said: “Tenure extension is a major issue in the party. Everybody has his own interest. From the body language of senators, it is obvious that most senators do not want Oyegun to continue because of his open romance with some governors.

    “Senators who have one issue or the other with their state governors feel that Oyegun is on the side of the governors.”

    Some of the senators were said to have expressed misgivings that the party leadership was conniving with their governors to block many of them and members of the House of Representatives from returning to the National Assembly.

    Bauchi, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara were mentioned by the lawmakers as  states where the party was looking the other way while the state governors were working to stop Senators and Reps from returning to the National Assembly.

    “What it means is that even House of Reps Speaker Yakubu Dogara is not sure of his ticket because of his disagreement with the Bauchi State governor.”

    The source added: “In Kogi State the governor, Yahaya Bello, singlehandedly sacked the state exco of the party while Oyegun aided him to hand pick a care taker committee that is not known to the party.

    “In Kaduna, the governor, Nasir El-Rufai, demolished the house of Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi and the party has not said anything. All these unhealthy developments were brought to the attention of Oyegun.”

    He said that the situation where some people in the party were trying to paint members of the National Assembly black by labelling them anti-Buhari, was also discussed at the meeting.

    “A major grouse of the senators is that most of them feel that the party has not provided a level playing field for all members.

    “It was explicitly stated that the legislature is the only arm of government that must be in place for there to be democracy in a country.

    “Oyegun was also told in plain language that the party is looking the other way while the executive arm of government is trying to demonize the legislature, the only symbol of democracy.

    “The party is the body that holds everybody together. As it stands, the party is on its own, the executive on its own and the legislature on its own. The country cannot go on like that.”

    The source said that after three hours of frank talks, Oyegun was tasked to ensure unity and proper reconciliation ahead of the 2019 election.

    The source said: “That was why the resolution to set up a caucus of the executive, legislature, governors and the party to address issues affecting the party was arrived at.

    “It was a frank discussion and we all spoke our minds especially with the realization that 2019 is by the corner.”

    Senate Leader, Senator Ahmed Lawan, told reporters at the end of the meeting on Wednesday that the controversial amendment of the Electoral Act was discussed.

    Lawan also confirmed that an agreement was reached to set up a caucus comprising the executive, the legislature, governors and the party to resolve conflicting interests when they arise in the party.

     

  • APC senators back in the trenches

    APC senators back in the trenches

    The internal strife that has recently been bedevilling the caucus of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the senate appears to be worsening ahead of the 2019 general election. Dare Odufowokan, Assistant Editor examines the factors responsible for the sour relationship among Senators elected on the platform of the ruling party.

    WITH the 2019 general election fast approaching, many observers within and outside the country are paying keen attention to happenings within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) which is already troubled as chieftains are now pitted against one an other over the control of party structures and other issues, ahead of the election which the party is seeking to win in other to remain ruling party for another four years.

    The APC, which basked in the euphoria of defeating the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2015 general election, has found itself bedeviled by intra-party squabbles for most part of its short existence. At the national level and in most states of the country, the ruling party is divided against itself. Most organs of the party, including its caucuses in the national assembly, are not spared from this crack.

    According to very reliable party sources, the party caucus in the senate is one of the worst hit organs of the ruling APC. The Nation gathered that ahead of the 2019 general election, APC senators, rather than working together to ensure victory for their party in the said election, are currently divided into groups scheming against one another within and outside the hallowed chamber.

    The Nation gathered that following the controversy that trailed the recent amendment made to the 2010 Electoral Act by the national assembly which saw APC senators openly disagreeing over the order of elections, the APC senate caucus became further fragmented into what is now know as ‘pro-Buhari’ and ‘anti-Buhari’ groups. It was further gathered that the groups now meets separately to plan and scheme against one another.

    “The situation now is such that we have two groups of APC senators meeting separately and working at cross purposes in the national assembly. While the recent amendment to the electoral act was the last straw that broke the camel’s back, the division among us has been on for quite a while. The sacking of Senator Abdulahi as chairman of the Northern Senators Forum has further polarized the caucus.

    “This is working at great advantage for the opposition. It is now very easy to shoot down pro-APC motions and bills on the floor of the senate. It is now common placed for the senate to disagree openly with presidential suggestions and requests. This is not good for the ruling party as we head towards another general election. It is all working to the benefit of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

     

    A divided house

    Worried about the disunity rocking the caucuses of the APC in the national assembly, a member of the 7th assembly, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, advised APC legislators and other chieftains of the party to close rank and be in unity warning that that intra-party squabbles and disunity among members of the party in the various organs of the party, including the senate caucus, may rob the party of victory during the next election.

    The forearm federal legislator condemned a situation where senators elected on the platform of the ruling party are unable to work together for the progress of the party. He lamented that the disunity among APC senators is working agains the party’s delivery of the much awaited dividends of democracy to the good people of Nigeria who graciously voted for the party in 2015.

    But while Faparusi is optimistic that the division among APC senators will soon be a thing of the past as the 2019 election draws nearer, given efforts by the leadership of the party at reconciling the many differences bedeviling the caucus, another chieftain of the party, Chief Bode Jaiyeola, former state secretary of the Alliance for Democracy in Ogun State, feels the division is worsening as the senators are now more divided by ever.

    According to Jaiyeola, the crisis rocking the senate caucus of the ruling party is multi-dimensional and as such cannot be wished away. “Concerted effort will be required to nip the disunity among our senators. The situation is daily taking a turn for the worse and to say the truth, the opposition senators are more united and as such more influential in the national assembly.

    “At a time when APC senators should be working together towards ensuring victory for the party at the next presidential election, they are allowing pockets of disagreements to divide them so much that they cannot speak with one voice. Sadly, this division is not caused by just one factor. It is a product of several factors and developments dating back to the very beginning of the current assembly,” he said.

    Findings by The Nation however revealed that aside the brouhaha generated by the controversial amendment of the electoral act, the division among APC senators can also be traced to a number of other issues which include the resumed trial of the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, perceived, rumored or confirmed presidential ambitions of some sitting senators as well as differences over what should be the fate of Chief John Odigie Oyegun, the national chairman of the APC and the National Working Committee (NWC).

    “These issues, and many more, are at the centre of the confusion rocking the APC senate caucus. In fact, some of the senators are here quarreling as a result of their fear that they may be denied return tickets by the APC in their various states. Many f them are blaming President Buhari for that and are determined to work against him and the party. Others have pledge their loyalty to some other presidential contenders aside Mr. President,” a senate source added.

     

    Still on electoral act amendment

    Sources within the Senate revealed that the clam currently pervading the hallowed chamber can be likened to the peace of the graveyard as senators are meeting in groups behind the scenes to fine-tune their next move concerning the controversial amendment made to the electoral act last week. It should be noted that the national assembly has forwarded the amendment to President Buhari for his assent.

    The two groups of senators who supported the amendment and those who opposed it are keenly awaiting Buhari’s decision on the amendment made to the 2010 Electoral Act. The clean copy of the amendment was last Monday transmitted to the presidency for assent. Buhari has up to 30 days to either withhold or assent to the draft Law, in line with section 58 (4) of the 1999 Constitution.

    While the senate leadership and and the PDP senate caucus are in support of the amendment, APC senators are sharply divided over the amendment. Senator Abdullahi Adamu, sacked chairman of the NSF and a former Governor of Nasarawa State, leads the camp that is opposed to the amendment. And if Adamu and other leaders of his group are to be believed, not less than 59 senators are in his camp.

    But Senator Dino Melaye, speaking for those supporting the amendment, said only Adamu and a handful of senators are in the opposition. He said majority of APC senators are in support of the amendment. Whichever of these two claims turns out to be the truth, one thing is certain, APC senators are at loggerheads over the amendment and will still dig deeper into one another should Buhari refuse to sign the amendment.

    In anticipation of the President’s decision, the two camps, according to reliable sources, are currently carrying out intensive supporters’ recruitment, a situation that has further polarized the party’s caucus in the senate. While some senators are all over the place urging their colleague to be prepared to support President Buhari should he withhold assent, some others are urging senators to be prepared to overrule Buhari should that happen.

    “What we are doing currently is preempting the decision of President Buhari on the amendment sent to him. The same controversial amendment which was hurriedly and fraudulently passed by those working against the interest of the ruling party even when it was obvious that the majority of senators present are opposed to it. With high hopes that the President will reject it, we are planning on what next.

    “To override the President, the those promoting the amendment will need two-third majority of both Chambers of the National Assembly. We are mobilizing our members to ensure that they don’t get the required number and we are sure that given the opposition to the controversial amendment, and the outcry against it by Nigerians, they will not succeed,” a senator told The Nation.

    But a supporter of the amendment said, “We are battle ready to overrule the President if he refuses to sign the amendment.  Section 58 (5) of the 1999 Constitution reads: ‘Where the President withholds his assent and the bill is again passed by each House by a two-third majority, the bill shall become Law and the assent of the President shall not be required.’ And I am sure we will get the two-third majority to do just that.

    Only a few of our colleagues in the APC, say about 20 of them, are opposed to the amendment. The rest of us, all the PDP senators and even Senator Umeh of APGA, are in support of the amendment. So, with what we have on ground and what we are still doing, it is in the interest of President Buhari to just assent to the amendment and avoid a situation where he will be overruled,” he said.

    Beyond the amendment

    There are also strong indications that the decision of the federal government to file 11 grounds notice of appeal against the June 14, 2017, judgment of the Code of Conduct Tribunal which acquitted Senate President Bukola Saraki of 18 counts of false asset declaration and other related offenses, may have irredeemably pitched some senators against Buhari and the APC.

    According to a reliable source, many senators sympathetic to Saraki are angry that the party looked on while Buhari continue to use the judiciary to humiliate the Senate President. “Those accusing senators of working against APC by opposing Buhari are hypocrites. Where were they when Buahri worked against his own party by humiliating the senate President who is a fellow party man?

    “No matter what you say about Buhari and the APC today, there are many of us who will not be moved by all these cry of “anti-party”. What is more anti-party than humiliating your own party man the way the federal government has done to Senator Saraki in the last three years? At a time they were talking about reconciliation, they appealed a judgement that proved Saraki innocent and returned him to the dock. Is that the way to make peace? We are waiting for their explanation,” the senator said.

    The Nation also learnt that a good number of APC senators are prepared to leave the party should the Senate President be forced to leave. According to senators who spoke to our correspondents, while Saraki may not have made up his mind to leave the APC, there is pressure on him by his supporters in the PDP urging him to jump ship before the next general election.

    “You shouldn’t be surprised by the refusal of some of us to support the President in some instances. How do you want us to feel when we are made more comfortable by opposition senators while our own party men are daily plotting agains the leadership of the senate? There is no gainsaying in the fact that Saraki’s leadership of the senate is made possible by PDP senators. So, how then do you heal the crack in our own camp? That is how bad the situation is,” a senator from Niger state said.

    To further compound the situation, The Nation gathered that there are still some APC senators nursing the wound of how Saraki emerged as Senate President in defiance to the directive of the party. These senators, it was learnt, are already plotting on how best to prevent his return as Senate President in the next assembly. “Some members of the Unity Forum will stop at nothing to ensure Saraki is not re-elcted as Senate President,” a source claimed.