NASS: A motion attempting to possibly commence the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari on his failure to provide security in the country was on Wednesday thwarted by the Senate President – Ahmed Lawan.

The motion which was sponsored by a senator from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing the federal capital territory (FCT) – Philip Aduda, was swiftly dismissed by Lawan who claimed that such a motion was supposed to be brought to his notice privately before the commencement of seating.

According to the Senate President, the Senate Rules mandates any senator to first bring any emergency motion, not included in proceedings for the day, to the attention of the Senate President in private.

Therefore, Lawan refused the senator the floor to move the motion, saying – “You did not discuss the matter with me privately. We have passed this stage (emergency motions),” the senate president said in response to the PDP senator.

Clariform reports that the Senate Standing Rules, provides that any emergency motion may be presented by any senator to the leadership of the senate on or before the commencement of a session.

The rule does not specifically require presentation of an emergency motion to the Senate President privately before the commencement of seating for the day.

Walk Out By PDP Senators

Following this development, the senators who are members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) immediately walked out of the chambers.

In registering the displeasure with the senate leadership, the PDP senators immediately staged a walkout after the dismissal of the motion by Philip Aduda, who is also the Minority Leader of the Senate.

Aduda became the Senate Minority Leader following the resignation of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe from the PDP and from the position.

The Purpose of the Motion

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing the federal capital territory (FCT) said that his reason for bringing the motion was for the senate to order President Buhari to immediately address the insecurity challenges in the country.

Also, according to the senator, the motion would have required the impeachment of the president if he fails to comply with the order.

Regarding the motion the senator said, “We were to give the president an ultimatum to resolve the issues of insecurity and give an impeachment notice if the demands are not met,” he said.

Clariform cannot presently confirm if the motion may be reintroduced again by the senator.