The Senate Wednesday resolved to investigate the purported plan to impeach its President, Senator Godswill Akpabio by some unnamed lawmakers.
The red chamber specifically mandated its Committee on Special Duties, headed by Senator Shehu Kaka (APC Borno Central), to probe the genesis of the rumour and those behind it, even as it described the plot as false and laughable.
Akpabio drew attention of the Senate to the matter in response to reports circulating on social media, which claimed that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had taken over the premises of the National Assembly for facilitation of the rumoured impeachment move against him.
Sounding rhetorical, Akpabio said: “The plenary is proceeding smoothly, with lawmakers conducting their affairs, unaware of the rumours being spread.
“We are here sitting down and doing our work very peacefully, oblivious of the mischief that is going on behind us.
“This rumour is part of what we go through daily. You see that they use AI to inject something to turn it around in order to drive traffic.
“I understand that they are being paid by YouTube if they have a lot of traffic. So, whoever brought out this fake news might be getting a lot of payment because of the traffic.
“But I hope the public is aware that this is total fake news and that the chamber is very stable, and the issue of impeachment does not come in. So, Kaka, please investigate and report back to us as soon as practicable.”
In a response, Senator Kaka, whose committee was mandated to dig into the rumour, said: “As the Senate President pleases; I will do the needful and report back, sir.”
After the plenary, Chairman Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Yemi Adaramodu addressed journalists in company with Chairman Northern Senators’ Forum Senator Abdulaziz Yar ‘Adua , to further debunk the fake news.
Adaramodu said the fake report was despicable and lie from the pit of hell.
“All the 108 Senators are solidly behind the leadership of the Senate led by the uncommon Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, like the rock of Gibraltar,” he said.
In his own reaction, Senator Yar’Adua said the report was purely falsehood as none of the northern senators was interested in any impeachment plot against Akpabio.
“Nigerians should disregard the mischievous falsehood being spread on the social media by focusing on challenges confronting the nation and possible way out,” he said.
Blueprint also observed that there was no heavy security presence Wednesday at the National Assembly before or during plenary , contrary to claims by some media platforms.
…Presidency explains
In a related development, the Presidency Wednesday said the presence of security within the National Assembly (NASS) complex is for the routine safety and protection of legislators and staff members.
This, it said, was not to prevent the lawmakers from conducting their official functions as being speculated in some quarters.
Speaking against the backdrop of the impeachment rumour of the Senate leadership, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Senate Matters Basheer Lado said the Senate would continue to function freely and without interference.
He said President Tinubu, in line with his dedication to a harmonious working relationship among the senators, recognised the critical role of the Senate in driving legislative progress.
The statement reads: “The attention of this office has been drawn to online reports that security agents have been deployed to prevent senators from carrying out their legislative duties, specifically in relation to an alleged impeachment of the Senate President.
“I wish to categorically state that these reports are baseless and should be disregarded as there is no discord within the rank and file of the senators. The legislative body remains united in its commitment to the advancement of Nigeria’s democracy.
“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in line with his dedication to a harmonious working relationship among the senators, recognizes the critical role of the senate in driving legislative progress. His Excellency remains committed to ensuring that this collaboration is based on mutual respect, dialogue, and shared goals for peace, progress and prosperity of all Nigerians.
“The senate continues to function freely and without interference, and any security presence within the National Assembly Complex is for the routine safety and protection of legislators and staff. I therefore urge the public to disregard such unfounded publications which could undermine the integrity of the legislature.”