Fresh developments indicate that the plot by the Leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC led by Adams Oshiomhole to remove Senate President, Bukola Saraki may have hit a stumbling block as a majority of the party’s senators have washed their hands off the impeachment move.
Comrade Oshiomhole has been leading the campaign for the sack of Senator Saraki following his defection to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The move against Saraki got to a head about two weeks ago when hooded operatives of the Department of State Service, DSS laid a siege on the National Assembly which prompted the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo to sack the Director General of the DSS, Lawal Daura.
Sources close to APC senators that majority of the party’s senators are no longer on same page with Comrade Oshiomhole over the plot to remove Saraki.
According to Nigerian pilot, in spite of monetary inducements and promises of automatic tickets, only about eight APC Senators out of over 50 are in support of the removal of the Senate President.
Some of the anti-Saraki senators include Abdullahi Adamu, Ali Ndume, George Akume and Ovie Omo-Agege.
It was gathered that over the years most of the senators, especially former governors, developed close relationship with Saraki beyond the chambers of the National Assembly. This relationship and close rapport cut across partisan party lines.
Senator Saraki’s management of the Senate since he took over in June 2015 is also working in his favour as he was said to have “carried along over 90 percent of the senators” irrespective of party affiliation
Even Senator Shehu Sani who declined to defect with Saraki despite his strained relationship with Governor Nasir El-Rufai is said to be against the removal of Saraki saying “he has not done anything to warrant his removal.”
Some APC governors are also said to be working behind the scene to ensure senators from their states queue behind Saraki. The APC governors are said to be uncomfortable with the “combative, aggressive dictatorial” leadership style of Comrade Oshiomhole.
The governors are of the view that Comrade Oshiomhole has compounded the internal crisis in APC and may lead the party to a woeful outing next year if he is not curtailed.
The former governor of Edo State is said to be beating a silent retreat in his bid to unseat Saraki and has been less vocal about the issue in almost two weeks.
Source: Politics Nigeria
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