…this is an invitation to anarchy – PDP warns
The battle for control of the Senate on Sunday took a more violent form as a campaign group for President Muhammadu Buhari, the Buhari Campaign Organisation (BCO) vowed to physically take over the National Assembly complex if Senate President Bukola Saraki did not resign from office.
The vow by the group was backed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) which, however, said though in support of the group’s intent, it would not join in mobilising for the showdown.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) however, cautioned President Buhari to deter his supporters, warning that his name could go in the path of infamy if the administration allows the BCO to carry out what it called a civilian coup.
The plot to storm the National Assembly was revealed yesterday by co-ordinator of the Buhari Campaign Organisation, Danladi Fasali in Abeokuta, Ogun State during the inauguration of the state secretariat of the Buhari support group.
The BCO national coordinator, who did not disclose the day and time they would invade the National Assembly, said: “We, the Buhari Campaign Organization, are saying that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki should take a bow and resign honourably. He should also be mindful of what happened and how Senator Godswill Akpabio resigned because the position he was holding in the National Assembly is zoned to the PDP, and immediately he left the party, he honourably resigned.
“We expect Saraki to do that. But, we are assuring him that the BCO will take over the National Assembly if he continues to demonstrate his impunity. He lacks the sense of direction and he wanted to truncate the present democracy. We are assuring you that before their resumption date, if nothing is done, the BCO will take over the National Assembly.”
Supporting the invasion plan, the APC speaking through its Acting National Publicity Secretary, Yekini Nabena, said the wish of the people should be respected in a democracy.
According to him, if the people have decided to march on the National Assembly, that they were within their rights to so do.
“It is the wish of the people and there is nothing anybody can do about that. If the people are saying Saraki must resign, that is their wish. But the party itself will not stage a protest to the NASS,” Nabena said.
Reacting to the threat, the PDP warned that it would be an invitation to anarchy.
Deputy National Publicity of the PDP, Prince Diran Odeyemi said: “They cannot do it. If Dr. Goodluck Jonathan bequeathed to Nigerians a good legacy in democracy, we don’t anticipate or expect Buhari to destroy it. Such invasion will be a civilian coup and if Buhari is seeing defeat ahead of him and his intention is to destabilise the country, he should remember that he has a name and that he has a future; he should also remember that he has children.
So, invading the National Assembly to impeach Saraki unceremoniously, without following the constitutional procedure, will be total anarchy and Nigerians should hold him responsible for what happens thereafter.” –
