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NASS vs Buhari: Uncertainty as Buhari faces impeachment threat in last days
The Senator Ahmad Lawan-led ninth Senate is known for absolute loyalty to the executive arm of government and has been cautious not to flex muscle, even if there was seeming infraction on the constitution.
That jinx seemed to have been broken for real, given the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators’ audacious move on Wednesday, 27 July, 2022, where they issued six weeks ultimatum to President Muhammadu Buhari to fix insecurity in Nigeria or got booted out of office.
The minority leader of the Senate and lawmaker representing the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Philip Aduda, after a closed-door session, raised a point of order to have a motion of insecurity discussed, but was ruled out of order by the Senate President.
Lawan hinged his decision on a breach of legislative rules by Aduda, as reasons he would not allow the motion to be entertained.
Irked by the Senate President’s resistance, the Minority leader, who was disappointed, insisted that the attacks by terrorists in the Federal Capital Territory, notably that of presidential guards that led to the killing of a lieutenant and a captain in Bwari area of Abuja, as well as abrupt closure of colleges in the Federal Capital Territory as a result of attacks by bandits and terrorists, were issues of “national interest”, which were discussed and agreed behind closed-door.
He mobilized his colleagues and staged a walkout in protest.
He said, “Abuja was no longer safe”, lamenting that all recommendations and resolutions by the legislative arm of government were not implemented, a development the lawmakers claimed were responsible for endless attacks across the country.
Giving clarification on some members of the APC, Senator Aduda said at the time of the briefing, that some of them have identified with the impeachment plot, revealing that the APC Senators have complained of ineptitude of Mr President that have given rise to the attacks in the Federal Capital Territory.
While addressing journalists, the opposition lawmakers were confident that they have the required number of lawmakers to effect the impeachment.
Also, in less than 24 hours, the upper and lower legislative Chambers met to harmonize their plot. After a joint closed-door meeting, the House of Representatives minority caucus leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu assured Senators that they would concur on the impeachment move against President Buhari.
He told the well attended meeting by the opposition lawmakers that he had similarly raised a point of order on the heightening insecurity in Abuja, stressing that the House may have not protested in the manner, the Senators did, but lawmakers in the opposition and some members of APC in the lower legislative Chamber were satisfied that President Buhari should be impeached.
Apart from insecurity, Elumelu said the free fall of the local currency which stood at N701 per dollar was a nagging issue among other worrisome issues that the parliamentarians must act within their constitutional means to save the nation.
“In the House, we acknowledged how our colleagues in the Senate had to walk out in protest over the state of the nation, as regards to insecurity.
“Concurrently though, we didn’t go the way Senators did, but I drew the House’s attention to what is happening in Nigeria, particularly the FCT, Abuja,” he said.
The lawmaker lamented how terrorists invaded Kuje prison and released suspects, adding the attack on presidential guards at Bwari that led to the killing of some senior military officers was a national embarrassment.
“As if that was not enough, the Minister of Education gave an order that all Schools in FCT be shut. Yesterday, the FCT Minister directed that all FCT schools should be closed and I gave a warning to my colleagues on the floor of the House that Abuja is no longer safe.
“If Abuja is safe, why should the Minister, serving under the APC-led government, instruct that all students should vacate.
“Why should the FCT Minister himself direct that all private schools be closed? Of course, this is a signal that Abuja is not safe”, he said.
Speaking with DAILY POST in Abuja over the weekend, Senator Babba Kaita representing Katsina North and who is barely three months in the Peoples Democratic Party, ruled out any mischief in the impeachment plot against Buhari.
According to him, the impeachment threat would assist Mr President to resolve the security challenges, insisting that insecurity was no respecter of political leanings.
According to him, President Buhari would understand the stand of the lawmakers, as even 40% of Katsina, where President Buhari hails from, is under the control of bandits.
The lawmaker, who is representing President Buhari, expressed optimism that the impeachment plot would compel the President to check security apparatus, wondering how heads haven’t rolled after the attack on Kuje Custodial Centre.
He said: “Let me first of all act as a statesman. This has nothing to do with opposition or political party because security is a general issue for everybody and insecurity doesn’t discriminate against APC, NNPP, Labour Party or PDP. We are tired of the happenings in the polity, day in and day out. We are daily losing citizens and loss of lives is not considered serious any longer in Nigeria.
“The primary responsibility of any government is to secure the people. Unfortunately, we are faced with serious security challenges and like I said earlier on, the more the effort to tackle insecurity, the more the happenings, which is an anomaly.
“Usually, when the government invests in security, the country becomes more prosperous, stable and people live in peace with one another, but that is not the case with Nigeria.
“The impeachment plot has nothing to do with Mr. President. What we are trying to do is to help Mr President, who I know is an honest person. What we are trying to do is to get him to talk to the security personnel.
“Two weeks ago, there was a security breach at the Kuje Custodial Centre and heads didn’t roll. The Minister is still in charge; the Perm Sec is there; the head of prison is there; nobody is accountable. We cannot continue like this. So this is a real challenge, we want to ginger Mr President to do the right thing.
“People are just politicking. Somebody like me cannot see how elections can be conducted under these circumstances. About 30 to 40% of my State is insecure. From Funtua down to Katsina North in Jibia Local Government Council, up to Zamfara and Kaduna, are not safe. How do you hope to conduct an election under this circumstance? There is nothing political and as Senators, we are supposed to be responsible.
“We must be bipartisan and help the government by securing the country. Security doesn’t know political parties. My brother in the bush has a father, mother and brothers and it can affect anybody, so we don’t politicize security. I know that the government needs to do more at this critical time.”
However, Senator Mohammed Sankara, representing Jigawa North West Senatorial district differed on moves to impeach President Buhari.
He spoke amid reports that he had earlier indicated to join the opposition.
In a statement he issued over the weekend, the lawmaker distanced himself from the reported plans to impeach the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, as well as President Buhari.
This is not the first time, lawmakers would raise impeachment plot against President Buhari as the eight Senate similarly threatened to remove Buhari from office for spending the sum of $496,374,470 to purchase Tucano Jets without passing through the parliament as provided in law.
Senator Mathew Uroghide, Chairman of Senate Committee on Public Accounts raised concerns over impunity of Mr President in spending a humongous amount of money without recourse to the National Assembly, but which was blocked by the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki.
However, if lawmakers will work on their talk, time may be a serious constraint as Buhari has barely ten months to end his second term of office, even as checks by DAILY POST on the number of opposition Senators revealed that, PDP currently has 37 Senators, APGA 1, Labour 1, NNPP 3, YPP 2, totalling 43.
As required by law, the lawmakers must have two-third majority to impeach President Buhari, and it couldn’t be confirmed, the number of APC Senators that would join the opposition in the impeachment project.
Another factor that may stop the lawmakers from carrying out their threats is the “lack of time” on their own part.
They are currently on a two-month vacation, to resume on September 20, after which they are coming to face the 2023 appropriation bill, which precedes electioneering campaigns for the 2023 general election.
Speaking on the legal implications of impeaching a sitting President, an Abuja-based legal practitioner, Barrister James Omagbogu, citing relevant sections of the 1999 Constitution as amended, submitted that the procedure was tedious and cannot be observed before President Buhari’s time runs out.
He wondered why the lawmakers suddenly woke up to their constitutional obligation, lamenting that it was unfortunate for parliamentarians to cry wolf now that terrorists had taken the battle to their doorstep.
In his view, the impeachment process would involve the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who also doubles as President Buhari’s in-law, hence, it would amount to futility any attempt to remove him from office now.
He said: “The failure of the presidency to tame the tide of insecurity is also that of the parliament. Where were they all these while? There is no time, or is it the Attorney-General of the Federation, who will play a role in the process that will work against his in-law?”
Meanwhile, the presidency, in a statement by the Special Assistant to the President on Media, Garba Shehu, described the impeachment plot as “performative and babyish”, adding that it would amount to an empty threat. (Daily Post)
The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has condemned the manner Emeritus Professor Martin Aghaji was arrested at the weekend in Enugu by alleged security operatives.
Aghaji, an internationally acclaimed cardiothoracic surgeon, renowned academic, distinguished statesman and one of Nigeria’s foremost medical icons, was reportedly taken from his residence in the early hours of Friday, July 3.
Sources stated that Aghaji’s arrest might not be unconnected with the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Aghaji is Kanu’s personal doctor.
Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor had taken to his Twitter handle at the weekend to alert about the arrest of Aghaji, alleging that it must be in connection with medical report he issued on Kanu.
The Enugu branch of the NMA had convened State Officers Council (SOC) at the weekend on receiving information about the development.
A communiqué from the meeting signed by the State Chairman, Dr Sunday Okafor and Secretary, Dr Chima Edeoga, while decrying the manner ’f the arrest, recognised the constitutional responsibilities of security agencies, but maintained however that every citizen deserved to be treated with dignity and in accordance with due process.
The doctors stated that upon receiving reports from concerned medical elders and members of the Association, the leadership of NMA Enugu State commenced extensive engagements with relevant government and security authorities to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“These engagements included the Office of the Security Adviser to the Governor of Enugu State, the Nigeria Police Force through both the Divisional Police Officer, Independence Layout Division, and the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, the Department of State Services (DSS), as well as other relevant Stakeholders”, the statement said
Explaining that “specific reasons for his arrest have not been officially communicated”, they resolved to convene an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) of all members of the Association to fully deliberate on the development and collectively determine appropriate professional and lawful actions.
They resolved to continue engaging all relevant authorities with a view to securing the immediate release of Professor Aghaji or ensuring that his constitutional rights are fully protected, including access to his family, legal representation and necessary medical care where applicable.
“To formally notify the National Officers’ Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association and request immediate clarification and coordinated advocacy in the interest of justice and the protection of members of the medical profession”, he said.
The Association said It remained committed to lawful engagement and constructive dialogue while closely monitoring developments.
“We assure all members that every legitimate effort is being deployed to protect the rights and welfare of our distinguished colleague”, the statement said, while requesting its members to remain calm, united and vigilant and await further directives from the Association.
…Presidency can’t escape accountability over Gbajabiamila claims — PDP
…SERAP asks Akpabio, Abbas to explain N1.3bn allocation to ‘fictitious’ PFIPC
Fresh documents emerged on Sunday showing that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, approved the disowned Director-General of the non-existent Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, Mr Adeniyi Adeyemi, to attend the Canada-Africa Fintech Summit, CAFS, in August 2025.
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reacting to the development on Sunday, accused the Federal Government of demonstrating a “troubling pattern of institutional failure” following the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
On it’s part, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, also on Sunday, urged the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to disclose certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the allocation of over N1.3 billion (N1,302,978,784) to the PFIPC in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
The presidency had alleged that Mr Adeyemi concocted letters and claims, insisting that the council never existed.
It also asked investigators from the Department of State Services, DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to identify and prosecute those within government institutions who allegedly assisted Adeniyi in carrying out the scheme.
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the alleged PFIPC intensified yesterday as a document circulating online showed that the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, Office of Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Engr. Nadungu Gagare, had approved a trip for Mr Adeyemi to attend a Fintech summit in Canada.
The latest development has further escalated the dispute involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Adeyemi.
The new document showed that the embattled PFIPC DG was given the nod by the SGF’s office to attend the Fintech summit in Canada from August3-8, 2025.
The document, signed by Engr. Gagare, on behalf of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, showed that the embattled PFIPC DG was directed by the OSGF to register and involve other stakeholders in the programme.
The document read: “In accordance with Mr President’s Economic Strategies on the Agenda. I invite you to participate in and join the Nigerian delegation to Canada from August 3rd to 8th, 2025.
“The CAFS Summit highlights strategic roles in Digital Finance and Technology, among stakeholders worldwide.
‘’This initiative will significantly contribute to shaping our economic vision, advancing development priorities, strengthening economic ties, fostering bilateral trade relations, and attracting foreign direct investment, FDI, to benefit the Nigerian economy.
“Given the above, you are urgently requested to register and involve other stakeholders in the programme. Your experience, technical support, and presence will strengthen this delegation.
“For more information and details, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Permanent Secretary of the Political and Economic Affairs Office at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, OSGF, and the CAFS Organising Group. Accept the warm regards of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.’’
Presidency can’t escape accountability over Gbajabiamila claims —PDP
Reacting to the development on Sunday, , Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, asked President Tinubu to order an independent forensic investigation into allegations surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, insisting the Presidency “cannot escape accountability” over claims involving the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The opposition party said the controversy left the Presidency facing two equally damaging possibilities.
In a statement signed by the spokesman of its Interim National Working Committee, Mr Ini Ememobong, the PDP said allegations made by Prince Adeniyi Matthew over the PFIPC, and the Presidency’s response through presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, had raised fresh questions about accountability and the integrity of government institutions.
The PDP said Mr Matthew alleged that Gbajabiamila solicited and received financial inducements to facilitate his appointment into the PFIPC before making further financial demands during the course of his engagement.
“The Presidency cannot escape accountability by choosing between corruption and incompetence. If its version is true, it has admitted to an unprecedented collapse of institutional safeguards.
‘’If Prince Matthew’s version is true, it has exposed corruption at the heart of government. Either way, Nigerians deserve answers.
“Whichever version of events proves to be true, the implications are deeply troubling,” Ememobong said.
The party said the Presidency, rather than directly denying the allegations, described Prince Matthew as an impostor who allegedly secured office space, had government staff assigned to him, operated CBN-registered accounts and conducted official business with agencies including the EFCC and other security institutions despite having no lawful authority.
It said the Presidency’s explanation only raised more questions.
“How did an alleged impostor gain unrestricted access to the Presidency? Who authorised the allocation of office space? Who approved the deployment of staff and budgetary resources?
‘’How were official accounts established? Who permitted him to transact with federal institutions and security agencies? These are questions that cannot simply be dismissed through a press statement.
“From the reported appointment of deceased persons into public offices, to controversies surrounding the presidential pardon process, the alleged N800 billion Progressive Governors Forum scandal, and several other avoidable administrative lapses, this administration has repeatedly found itself explaining controversies that ought never to have arisen,” the party stated.
The PDP urged President Tinubu to order an independent forensic investigation into the PFIPC controversy, suspend officials connected to the matter, pending the outcome of the inquiry, review administrative processes within the Presidency and issue an unreserved apology to Nigerians.
“The Nigerian people deserve more than explanations. They deserve transparency, accountability, and institutions that inspire confidence rather than suspicion. Until this administration demonstrates a genuine commitment to holding itself accountable, every unresolved scandal will further erode public trust and strengthen Nigerians’ determination to demand a government that is competent, transparent, and worthy of their confidence in 2027,” Ememobong stated.
SERAP asks Akpabio, Abbas to explain N1.3bn allocation to PFIPC
Meanwhile, SERAP has urged the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to urgently disclose certified copies of all documents relating to the consideration and approval of the allocation of over N1.3 billion (N1,302,978,784) to the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC/Presidential Economic Advisory Council in the 2026 Appropriation Act.
SERAP, in a Freedom of Information, FoI, request by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, urged them to exercise the National Assembly’s constitutional powers under sections 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution to investigate the circumstances surrounding the allocation to ‘a fictitious presidential council’ in the 2026 Appropriation Act and to identify anyone responsible for any irregularities.
SERAP also urged them to “provide certified copies of records identifying the members of the National Assembly committees that considered the allocation and the names and official designations of all public officers or representatives who appeared before those committees to defend the proposed allocation.”
SERAP further urged them to “clarify whether the allocation formed part of the executive’s original Appropriation Bill or was introduced or amended during the appropriations process and whether any lawmaker raised concerns or sought clarification regarding the legal status, establishment or operational mandate of the ‘fictitious body’; and the action taken by the National Assembly in response.”
According to reports, the PFIPC/Presidential Economic Advisory Council was allocated over N1.3 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act. However, the Presidency has publicly stated that the body is fictitious and was never established by the federal government.
SERAP said: “These conflicting accounts raise serious concerns regarding the integrity of Nigeria’s appropriations process, legislative oversight, public financial management and accountability.
“Nobody has a more sacred obligation to obey the law than those who make the law. The National Assembly ought to keep an eye on what the executive is doing and to keep the Presidency and agencies of government in check, including before and during the appropriation process, by thoroughly scrutinising the Executive’s budget proposals before any authorisation.
“Nigerians have a right to know whether public funds were appropriated for an entity that was not lawfully established and, if so, how this occurred.
“Providing the requested information would enable Nigerians to assess whether the National Assembly discharged its constitutional responsibilities under sections 80, 81, 88 and 89 of the Constitution in scrutinising and approving the allocation.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest.
“Disclosure of the requested information would strengthen public confidence in the credibility of the National Assembly and the integrity of the appropriations process, promote transparency in the management of public resources, and enable citizens to meaningfully scrutinise the exercise of parliamentary oversight.
“The requested records concern matters of exceptional public importance. They relate directly to the integrity of Nigeria’s budgetary and appropriations process, the lawful establishment and funding of public institutions, the expenditure of public funds, and the effectiveness of legislative oversight.
“The National Assembly has a clear obligation to disclose the requested information, particularly where there are credible allegations of governmental impropriety and possible misuse of public resources.
“The disclosure of the requested information and documents would advance these constitutional and statutory objectives by promoting openness, strengthening legislative accountability and enhancing public confidence in the management of public resources.
“According to widely reported allegations, the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC/Presidential Economic Advisory Council was allocated over N1.3 billion (N1,302,978,784) in the 2026 Appropriation Act.”
The body of a woman, Blessing Ayebe, has been found in a church toilet in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
Ayebe reportedly attended a service at the Presbyterian Church, Ikot Ansa Parish, on June 28 but did not return home.
According to family sources, her lifeless body was discovered in the church toilet around 9 p.m
Her daughter, Peace Minka Ayebe, reported the incident at the Federal Housing Police Station after being informed by her brother, Saviour Ayebe.
The body was later deposited at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) mortuary for preservation and autopsy.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, confirmed the incident, saying preliminary examination of the body showed no visible signs of violence.
He said no suspect had been identified or arrested as of Sunday, as investigators had yet to establish any evidence of foul play.
“The investigation is ongoing, and further developments will be communicated as they unfold,” Akata said.
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