Senator Dispels Plot to Make Saraki Acting President

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

Senator Olusola Adeyeye (Osun Central) has dispelled what he called rumours that the Senate is plotting to impeach the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, and make Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Acting president.

He said this in reaction to speculations that the Senate is deliberately working to cause a conflict between Osinbajo and Saraki, exacerbate tensions and impeach the acting president.

Rumours swirled following the resolution of the Senate on Tuesday, announcing the suspension of the consideration of all executive requests for confirmation of nominees, pending the clarification on the Senate’s power of confirmation, which was called into question by Osinbajo.

The acting president in April, while reacting to the rejection of the nomination of the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, had said the nominee does not require confirmation by the Senate, and that his name should not have been sent in the first instance.

The Senate on Tuesday, following the transmission of a letter from Osinbajo seeking the confirmation of the nominee for the position of Director General of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission (NLRC), Mr. Lanre Gbajabiamila, said the acting president is being inconsistent.

They also resolved that before considerations of nominees resume, Osinbajo must withdraw his statements regarding Magu, and sack him as EFCC helmsman.

Adeyeye, in an article wednesday, however lamented that the development as being misconstrued.
“Sadly, rumours are being peddled that senators are being steered in a ploy to heighten a Saraki-Osinbajo conflict to a point where the acting president can be impeached so that Saraki can take over as acting president. I am not aware of such a ploy within the senate,”

“More importantly, I dare say that were such a ploy to exist, it would woefully and precipitously fail. What matters therefore is that Osinbajo must not be misled into siding with those talking as if their own views are the views of the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Adeyeye added.

Adeyeye, who is the Majority Whip of the Senate, added that while he remains a firm supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari and Osinbajo, reiterated that he voted in favour of Magu at the screening exercise.

He, however, stated that since Magu was rejected by the Senate, he cannot continue to function as EFCC boss.

“Pundits bellowing as if the ongoing saga is purely a legal matter are wrong! Even if they are right, legal matters are not finalised by the opinions of the loudest lawyers; they are concluded by the ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction! Celebrated lawyers do not constitute a court! In any case, the issues at stake are as much matters of politics as they are of law. The earlier the frontline dramatis personae grasp and internalise this, the better,” Adeyeye said.