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‘Senators totally united’

By Bridget Chiedu Onochie and Azimazi Momoh Jimoh, Abuja
12 November 2015   |   6:18 am
CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has debunked speculations of conspiracy against the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nigeria senate

The senate

CHAIRMAN, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has debunked speculations of conspiracy against the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He spoke against a backdrop of statement by the Secretary of the Unity Forum, Senator Suleiman Hunkunyi, in which it was claimed that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken over the Senate Chamber.

Hunkunyi, in the statement titled “The conspiracy against the APC finally consummated”, which he claimed was the position of the APC Senators, wrote:

“We notice with joy, the inauguration of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) by President Muhammadu Buhari today, November 10. Finally, the change agenda has cleared the coast to start up the expected development agenda of the APC formed government.

“In equal stance, we notice with grave sadness, the handover of the hallowed chamber of the Senate today by the Senate President to Ike Ekweremadu and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party to preside over the majority membership of the APC-led chamber.

“It is a very sad development that must be denounced by all well meaning APC members and leaders alike. With this, to show our protest as APC Senators of the 8th Senate, we wish to announce that we shall cease to attend any seating presided over by the PDP in an APC majority chamber of the 8th Senate”.

Hunkunyi was also said to have declared that he will never recognize Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President.

The trouble started when the Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu, had to preside over plenary as the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, attended the inauguration of the newly appointed ministers.

It was gathered that some Senators of the Unity Forum staged a walk out on sighting Ekweremadu on the Senate President’s seat.

In a swift reaction, however, the Senate spokesman noted that there was absolute peace among members in spite of the bi-partisan nature of the 8th Senate.

In a counter statement signed by him, he stated: “The Senate wishes to state categorically that there is no conspiracy of any nature among distinguished Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The consummation of a conspiracy is the figment of the imagination of those behind the news release and should be disregarded by Nigerians.

“The Senate wishes to reiterate its total commitment to providing robust legislative actions to support the change agenda of Mr. President as he strife to move Nigeria to new height.

5 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    Half men in the RED CHAMBERS-They do not know the difference between Legislation and partisan halusination. Please help me remind some of them that they are now Senators of the fedral Republic unless they are not. Why refuse to recoognise a fellow senator who happens to be a principal officer in accordance with senate rules?

  • Author’s gravatar

    It is difficult to believe that some people do not recognise why they are at the hallowed chambers. How can a senator say he will not participate in a plenary session of the senate being chaired by an elected house? The question now is, was Hunkunyi elected to represent and serve his constituency or to go politicking for who occupy which seat in the chambers?
    Does this attitude reflect the CHANGE being propagated by APC?
    A positive change is that change which emanated from the change in you or your behavior or attitude.
    It is time sycophants should leave the HALLOWED RED CHAMBERS for Nigeria to move forward.