Senate backs Tambuwal; vows to protect Legislature at all cost

As you should already know by now, the Senate abruptly adjourned sitting on Wednesday without taking decision on any issue, including the all bills before it.

Before the adjournment which was protested by APC Senators, Senate President David Mark, lamented the withdrawal of the security aides of Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and vowed to protect the Legislature.

He said, “We are not to interfere in the internal affairs of each house. However, as the Chairman of the National Assembly, I cannot fold my arms or pretend that all is well about the current crisis. 

“I am therefore going to do all I can to resolve the current impasse. Furthermore, the matter is already in a court of law, we cannot therefore discuss the issues here. I want to assure all of you that I will do the needful to protect and defend the legislature at all costs.”

Signs that the Senate might not have a smooth sitting however started when Mark read the prayers and an announcement by the Senate leader, Senator Victor Ndoma–Egba, inviting members of the PDP caucus for a crucial meeting at the Hearing Room One in the chamber.

The PDP caucus in the red chamber were protesting their alleged maltreatment by President Goodluck Jonathan and the leadership of the party, over the last ward congresses, which ensured that only candidates of governors emerged as delegates.

Mark invited Ndoma–Egba to lead the senate to the next item on the order paper for deliberation barely 20 minutes into the plenary.

However, rather than mentioning any item on the order paper, the Senate leader said, “Having exhausted all items on the order paper for today (Wednesday), I hereby move for an adjournment to Tuesday, 11th November for further legislative business.”

The adjournment was seconded by Deputy Senate Minority Leader, Senator Ahmed Sanni Yerima.

While the PDP senators echoed yes to the Senate President’s question on whether the sitting should be adjourned as moved and seconded accordingly, their counterparts in the APC shouted nay but Mark ruled in favour of the former.

But before he finally announced the adjournment, Mark explained that the decision was in solidarity with their colleagues in the House of Reps over the withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security aides by both the Police and the Department of State Service.

The PDP senators, led by Mark, immediately went into a private meeting to further perfect their strategies on how to confront Jonathan and the PDP over their displeasure with the conduct of their party’s ward congresses.

PUNCh learnt that the real reason for the abrupt adjournment of the Senate was to enable the PDP senators to have enough time to fine tune strategies for contesting the congresses, which ensured that only candidates of governors emerged as delegates.

A senator, who confided in Punch, said they resolved to continue their protest until Jonathan and the PDP leadership ensured justice and fairness in the emergence of candidates that would win the PDP tickets in next year’s general elections.