Olusegun Bamgbose, a senior lawyer has joined lines of Nigeria declaring that Aso Rock, the Nigeria seat of power is empty.
This follows the position by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Abubakar Malami, on the powers of the National Assembly to invite the President, Bamgbose noted that the Aso Rock Villa have become empty.
The House of Reps had invited President Muhammadu Buhari over the rising insecurity in the country after the massacre of over 50 farmers in Borno State by Boko Haram.
After the summon, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila confirmed that the President was willing to appear before the House, adding that a date had been agreed and will be made public soon which was later scheduled Thursday 10th of December 2020.
But all of a sudden, Malami in a statement, said the House lacks the powers to summon the President to interface with it on the rising insecurity, adding that it was “outside constitutional bounds”.
Bamgbose, a chieftain of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, described the AGF’s position as ridiculous and balderdash, adding that the Honourable Minister should be reminded that the National Assembly is a mini Nigeria.
“Nigeria is inviting Buhari to come and account for his stewardship as per the insecurity in the country and AGF Malami says it’s unconstitutional, isn’t that funny? Bamgbose, a 2023 presidential hopeful.
“Does that mean that Buhari is not accountable to any organ or institution in Nigeria? It’s becoming very obvious that Buhari has nothing worthwhile to offer Nigerians.
“It’s like Aso Rock is empty. Nigerians are definitely tired of Buhari. His government is fast becoming boring and uninteresting.
“One will have no option but to tell our President to honour the invitation or get prepared to be impeached. Governance has been rendered impotent under this administration.
“The Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has been rendered redundant. Nigeria is now like a ship without a Captain.
“This is most unfortunate. I’ll urge the National Assembly to immediately commence impeachment process against Buhari should he fail to honor the invitation.
“Why must we at every given time beg our President to address us on critical burning national issues. Buhari has no justification to remain in Aso Rock if he won’t be prepared to address Nigerians, especially on this burning issue of insecurity.
“He does not deserve the privileges of the President if he can’t rescue the citizens from this mess. He should vacate Aso Rock if he can’t secure lives and property of the citizens. It’s as serious as that.”
Insecurity: Lawmaker rebukes Malami for asking Buhari to snub Reps’ summon
Toby Okechukwu, the Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, has disagreed with the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, on the powers of the National Assembly to Summon the President.
Okechukwu blamed some highly placed political actors in the All Progressives Congress, APC, of pressurizing President Muhammadu Buhari not to appear before the lawmakers.
According to him, the AGF was only airing the position of the All Progressives Congress, APC on the matter.
The House of Reps had summoned President Muhammadu Buhari over the growing insecurity in the country immediately after the massacre of over 50 farmers in Borno State by Boko Haram.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila had confirmed that the President was willing to appear before the House, adding that a date had been agreed and will be made public soon.
But Malami in a statement earlier in the week said the House lacks the powers to summon the President to interface with it on the rising insecurity, adding that it was “outside constitutional bounds”.
Okechukwu, a senior lawyer, who represents Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency, Enugu State, faulted Malami’s claim and described it as “strange”.
“Section 89 (1) of the 1999 Constitution as amended clearly empowers the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with Section 62 of the Constitution to procure evidence, written or oral and to ‘summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place,” Okechukwu was quoted by Channels Television.
“Therefore the attempt to pressurize Mr. President not to appear clearly shows that some highly placed political actors in the ruling party are placing politics over the protection of lives of Nigerians. The APC is evidently fiddling with propaganda and politics while Nigeria burns”, he stated.
“It is evident from APC’s position as made public by the AGF that the safety of Nigerian citizens would take a back sit in the next few days, while the argument over who is right or wrong unfortunately takes the front seat,” he added.
