Spokesman of the Ahmad Lawan For Senate President Group, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, has debunked media reports that the Ninth Senate would amend the 1999 Constitution to allow President Muhammadu Buhari to stay in office beyond 2023.
The lawmaker who doubles as Senate Spokesperson in the Eighth Assembly described the report as a desperate plot concocted by “evil and desperate politicians” bent on frustrating the emergence of Senator Lawan as Senate President in the Ninth National Assembly.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Abdullahi said: “This is just a very desperate attempt by detractors and some politicians who want to taint the good image of the Senate Leader, and the future Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan.”
According to the lawmaker, “When we (Senators) met the President two days ago, he (President) was very emphatic that he has stood for election five times, and this is his last.
“The President made it clear that he wants to retire quietly to his home, on the basis of which he is going to work very hard these four years since Nigerians have given him this opportunity, to leave a lasting legacy behind.
“The President’s statement clearly shows that he is a full democrat who knows that our constitution only provides for the second term which he has gotten, and for which he is grateful to Nigerians.
“Therefore, to come back to say that Senator Ahmad Lawan will amend the constitution to keep him in office beyond 2023 is just the height of evil thinking and bad politics taken too far.
“The public should discountenace that and focus on supporting a very genuine and transparent process that will lead to the emergence of our own choice leaders as Senators-elect when the 9th Senate unveils,” Senator Abdullahi added.
He said leaders of the APC, after due consultations, asked the APC National Chairman’, Adams Oshiomhole, to announce Lawan as the party’s candidate.
This according to him was contrary to claims by Senator Ali Ndume, that Oshiomhole’s announcement did not have the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari and that of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.
“It is not good for people to peddle lies, I was at the dinner along with other APC senators-elect, the national chairman of our party, Adams Oshiomhole, never made any announcement or submission that can be described by anybody as imposition.
“He is the spirit of avoiding what happened in 2015, along with the presidency, gave the required direction for the party as regards the position of President of the 9th Senate by in a very persuasive and convincing tone, recommended Senator Ahmed Lawan for the position.
“The recommendation was spontaneously and instantaneously, applauded by all the APC senators- elect in attendance without anybody dissenting.
“So for Senator Ndume to later tell a story of imposition and shock to Nigerians through his media briefing, is nothing but being economical with the truth “, he said.
OWEDE AGBAJILEKE, Abuja
