Threat to Senate: Hold FG, APC Responsible If Our Democracy Comes Near  Harm – PDP

The People Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Nigerians and the
international community to hold the All Progressives Congress (APC) and 
its Federal Government responsible should our nation’s democracy fall 
under any harm in the coming days.

The party also warns that any attempt by anybody to forcefully take over 
the control of the National Assembly is a direct recipe for crisis and 
anarchy, as this will be directly resisted by Nigerians.

This caution by the PDP comes against the backdrop of yet another plot 
by the APC and its agents to flood the National Assembly with armed 
plain clothed security operatives to compromise the security 
architecture to enable the forceful takeover of the leadership of the 
Senate by minority APC senators.

Nigerians would recall that we alerted the nation that the purported 
overseas vacation by President Muhammadu Buhari was to enable his cabal 
overrun the National Assembly in a manner reminiscent of the siege at 
the Benue State House of Assembly, so as to sack the current elected 
Senate leadership and install their stooges.

When this is done, the Buhari Presidency will in its characteristic 
response claim the ‘Mr President is unaware.’

The PDP however cautions, in the strongest possible terms, that Nigeria 
as a nation will never allow such direct assault to the highest symbol 
of our integrity as a democratic state.

The laws of our nation regarding the sanctity and sovereignty of our 
legislature are clear and our citizens will never allow any person or 
group of persons, no matter the circumstances, undermine the 
constitutional integrity of the legislature as representatives of the 
people. Any attempt to tempt the will of the people in this direction is 
a clear recipe for very serious crisis.

The laid down rules for reconvening the Senate whenever it is on recess, 
which must be followed when it becomes compelling to reopen the senate 
on a date order than the earlier adjourned date, are clear and direct.

In such a circumstance, Order 12(2) of the Senate Standing Rule (2015) 
clearly vest such powers and functions on the Senate President, who 
shall give notice of such new date and time.

Anything outside the provision of the law is a direct coup not only 
against the National Assembly but also on our entire democratic system. 
It is a clear recipe for anarchy of monumental proportion capable of 
disarticulating our nation.

The PDP therefore charges all Nigerians to be at alert, stand up for 
democracy and condemn this conspiracy against our land.

Finally, the PDP, as a party committed to peace, unity and prosperity of 
our nation also sternly cautions the APC and the Federal Government to 
steer clear of the National Assembly and the leadership of the Senate as 
well as desist from its proclivities towards acts capable of 
destabilizing our dear nation, especially at this critical time.