27th July, 2022
There was drama at the upper chamber of the National Assembly on Wednesday, Senators, mostly of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party walkout of the plenary following frustration of a point of order on security that included possible impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.
The point of order was raised by Minority leader Philip Aduda (PDP-FCT ) to discuss insecurity in Nigeria
Aduda had raised a point of order to draw the attention of President of Senate, Ahmad Lawan to bring to the public discussions on issues of insecurity at a close session that lasted two hours.
Aduda, in his point of order, noted that the Senate was to “give the president an ultimatum to resolve the issues of insecurity in the country and give an impeachment notice if the demands are not met.”
But he was quickly interrupted Lawan who said that it was against the senate rule to bring up any matters of such without his prior consultation.
Lawan, thereafter ruled the the minority leader out of order.
Thereafter, Senators of the opposition parties stage a walkout chanting a solidarity song.
Aduda at a news conference in accompany of other opposition lawmakers said:“we went through a closed session to discuss issues as it relates to security in this country especially the happenings in Abuja and happenings all over the country.
“We agree that the primary responsibility of government is the protection of lives and property of citizens .
“And for us the minority caucus in the Senate we took into cognisance the fact the Senate had at various levels, at various times, convened various security meetings, issues were discussed.
“We did recommend to government various steps and measures aimed at curbing these issues on insecurity.
“We realise that even Abuja that we are in is longer safe.
“At the closed session we agreed that we will give the president an ultimatum to comply.
“This is what we agreed at in the closed session. So when we came out of the closed door session, we expected that the Senate President will brief the public on the issue that happened.
“However that did not happen,so we have come here in protest to brief you and to let you know that we are with Nigerians in this struggle.
“And that we are worried that no where is safe in Nigeria and as such,we have worked out of the chamber in protest that the security situation is deteriorating and that urgent steps need to be completely taken to ensure that these issues are curbed immediately.”