The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has alleged a plot by the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress to forcefully take over the leadership of the National Assembly on Tuesday as lawmakers reconvene to debate the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen.
Specifically, the Coalition accused the Federal Government of earmarking the sum of $15 million to achieve the plot.
According to him, this plan will see the announcement of Ahmad Lawan and Hope Uzodinma as Senate President and Deputy Senate President respectively, with Godswill Akpabio as Senate Leader.
In the House of Representatives, the Coalition also alleged that Femi Gbajabiamila and Abdulmimin Jibril will be announced as Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively.
Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Spokesperson of CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere stated that intelligence at his disposal revealed that opposition lawmakers like Senate President, Bukola Saraki; his deputy, Ike Ekweremmadu; as well as Ben Murray-Bruce, Dino Melaye, Biodun Olujimi, Dogara, Kingsley Chinda, Nnena Ukeje among others would be stopped by security agents from gaining entrance into the National Assembly.
The coalition consists of over 50 political parties including the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The arrowheads of this treasonable plot in the National Assembly include Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, Ali Ndume, George Akume and Kabiru Gaya. While the members of the House who are part of this plot to destroy democracy include Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Hon. Abdulmimin Jubril and Hon. Agbonayima.
“To ensure the plot goes successfully, the Federal Government has mapped out the sum of $70, 000 for each Senator and $40, 000 for each House member for what it called welfare since majority of them will be compelled to be in town suddenly. The money for the bribes have already been released to Senator Lawan and Hon. Gbajabiamila for onward distribution to their members as they return. The money amounting to $15million ($8million for the House and $7 million for the Senate) was sourced from NNPC, CBN, NDDC, NPA, NIMASA, a commercial bank and a company the owner of whom is a member of the cabal.
“Nigerians are hereby put on notice that these coupists are plotting that Sen. Saraki, the Senate President, Sen Ike Ekweremmadu the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ben Bruce and Sen. Sen. Dino Melaye, Biodun Olujimi, Hon. Dogara, Kingsley Chinda, Nnena Ukeje among others would be stopped by security agents from gaining entrance into the National Assembly.
“Thugs have been mobilized from Plateau, Kwara and Kogi to mount protest at the gates of the National assembly and have the approval to attack and disperse any group that come to hold a counter rally”, he said.
While calling on Nigerians to rise up and defend the nation’s democracy, he assured they the Coalition will mobilise to the National Assembly as early as 6am to stop the plan.
