The Senate on Thursday resolved to investigate the allegation by its member, Sen. Obinna Ogba (PDP-Ebonyi Central) that some lawmakers planned to destabilise its leadership.
Relying on a Point of Order at the plenary, Ogba claimed to possess documented evidence to prove the allegation.
He presented the acclaimed evidence, accusing the lawmakers of mobilising the civil society groups and market women to demonstrate against the leadership of the senate.
“I rise to inform this senate of a plan to destabilise it, including the senate leadership through demonstrations.
“I believe that all of us are leaders in this country and anybody who sees what will destabilise this country, the senate or democracy should avoid it.
“As we are here, if there is any issue bothering you, you have the opportunity to raise it.
“You should not to go outside the chambers to start planning for civil organisations and market women to demonstrate against the leadership of the senate,” he said.
Ogba alleged that “money has been exchanging hands towards the plan.”
He urged the red chambers to investigate the allegation and not to treat it with a kid glove.
“I want this matter to be investigated properly. I have evidence to show what I am saying.
“There is a record of a telephone discussion between Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and some other people which every other person can also print out.
“This is a very serious issue. When Sen. Isah Misau raised it in January, we didn’t take it as anything. We must stand up to look into this.’’ Ogba said.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, reiterated the need to preserve the sanctity of the legislature and protect the country’s democracy.
Ekweremadu noted that the difference between the military regime, autocratic regime or any other kind of repressive regime and the democracy was the parliament.
According to him, once the parliament was not present in governance there would be problem.
“Whatever we do, we must continue to preserve the sanctity of the parliament.
“So I want to stress again that any person interested in destabilising this country is not doing us any good.
“We have received this information from Ogba; so we will refer it to our committee on petitions to look at it and report back in two weeks,’’ Ekweremadu said. (NAN)
