The All Progressives Congress (APC) has described the threat by some senators to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari because of the criminal charges instituted by the federal government against Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu, for alleged forgery of the Senate rules, as a huge joke taken too far.
The party also described the allegations that the criminal trial instituted against the top leadership of the Senate by the APC-led federal government was politically-motivated as baseless.
However, two senators loyal to the principal officers of the upper chamber of the legislature, Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko and Dino Melaye, have denied that the Senate was in the process or considering impeachment proceedings against the president.
The denials came on the heels of the clarification provided by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami, before the Senate, saying that he instituted the forgery case against Saraki, Ekweremadu and two others in the interest of justice and in the interest of the public.
In a statement issued wednesday by the National Secretary of the APC, Mai Mala Buni, the ruling party asked the senators in question to stop the “huge joke” and concentrate on their primary constitutional responsibilities of lawmaking.
“The attention of the National Secretariat of the APC has been drawn to media reports of a laughable impeachment plot by some senators on President Muhammadu Buhari during Tuesday, July 12, 2016 closed session of the Senate.
“The party advises the senators in question to stop this huge joke and concentrate on their primary constitutional responsibilities of lawmaking and the discharge of their legislative mandates to their constituents at the National Assembly.
“The party reiterates that the senators in question do not have to allow political shenanigans becloud the overall national interest.
“The party will not join issues on the Senate forgery suit and other court cases concerning some members of the Eighth Senate because it will be subjudice.
“We advise the senators in question to tow the same line and allow judicial processes to run their normal and legitimate course.
“Repeated allegations that the court cases are politically-motivated by the president and the APC are baseless. The Muhammadu Buhari administration strictly respects the principle of the rule of law and also adheres to the constitutional provisions of separation of powers between the three arms of government.
“APC urges Mr. President and the entire cabinet to remain focused in their efforts to deliver on election promises and to steer the nation to its deserved heights,” it said.
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