We won’t partake in Amaechi’s confirmation – PDP Senators

Ahead of this week’s confirmation of former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi who was screened by the Senate last Thursday, the stage is now set for an epic clash between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) senators and their All Progressives Congress (APC) counterparts, as opposition senators have vowed to boycott Amaechi’s confirmation if the report of the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions is not debated and adopted by the upper chamber.

In an exclusive chat with BDSUNDAY, Senator Ighoyota Amori (PDP, Delta Central), said until the report is debated, PDP senators would not be part of Amaechi’s confirmation exercise.

While accusing APC of acting a script, Senator Amori argued that Amaechi would be a ‘moral burden’ to the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

His words: “The position of the PDP Senate Caucus is that they have nothing to do with Amaechi until the report of the Ethics (Committee) is debated on the floor of the Senate and other issues about him are properly considered. What happened on Thursday is incomplete as it was conducted by only APC legislators.

“The APC senators were only acting a political script knowing full well that Ameachi will be a big moral burden to the Buhari administration. In most cases majority may not always be right”.

It would be recalled that although the report was presented on the floor of the legislative chamber by Senator Samuel Anyanwu (PDP, Imo East), it was however, not considered, as the Senate immediately went ahead to screen Amaechi and four other nominees.

A Port Harcourt-based non-governmental organisation, Integrity Group, had levelled a N70billion fraud allegation against the former governor.

Irked by the development and speaking on behalf of PDP senators, Senate Minority Leader, Godswill Akpabio, said opposition lawmakers would not have questions for the nominee because the report of Anyanwu’s committee was not considered.

He relied on Order 43 of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended), which states that no controversial matter be brought before the Senate.

Akpabio was, however, countered by Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, who submitted that since PDP senators have elected not to ask questions, the nominee should take a bow and go.

But his suggestions generated negative reactions from PDP members, while Akpabio immediately explained that their position is not a yardstick for APC senators not to ask their own questions.

At this juncture, the atmosphere became tensed when Ndume described PDP senators as “You People”, as PDP senators demanded an apology from Ndume, insisting that he withdraws the comment.
The situation was, however, doused by Senate President, Bukola Saraki who apologised on behalf of the Senate Leader.
Not satisfied with the apology, Akpabio alongside other PDP legislators staged a walk out, leaving Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Abiodun Olujimi and a handful of PDP senators.

Recall that Saraki, a former PDP member, rose to Number Three seat in the June 9 election on the support of PDP senators who voted for him overwhelmingly.

The Red Chamber currently consists of 59 APC senators and 49 PDP senators.
While some analysts believe PDP senators would take their pound of flesh against Senator Saraki when the chips are down, others are of the opinion that being politicians, the disagreement among them would be resolved in no distant time.

Throwing more light on the matter, a National Assembly official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Senate President’s hands are tied considering his pending corruption cases at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and Appeal Court.

Using the confirmation of APC National Publicity Secretary, Lai Mohammed as an example, he said the Senate President may rule against the ‘Nay’ even if they have the overwhelming voice votes.

“Saraki will definitely rule in favour of the ‘Ayes’. You can’t expect him to be part of those that will say ‘Nay’ to Amaechi even though he might not like Amaechi. But there are so many overwhelming issues that will force him for now, to rule in favour of APC senators. He has been blackmailed so much at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and Appeal Court and any attempt for him not to use his power to confirm Amaechi’s nomination will face a backlash from the Presidency and APC”, he stated.

As Nigerians await Amaechi’s confirmation, political watchers say how the issues are resolved without rancour will be the test of the Senate President’s true leadership qualities.