CJN’s suspension: APC senators on red alert

All Progressives Congress (APC) senators are on red alert following tomorrow’s Senate emergency session to debate the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.

Investigation showed that most APC senators under the aegis of the Buhari Parliamentary Support Group, are uncomfortable with the planned emergency session of the upper chamber.

President Muhammadu announced the suspension of Justice Onnoghen on Friday and appointed Justice Tanko Mohammed as the acting CJN.

The Senate has already concluded arrangements to reconvene tomorrow to take a position on the suspension of Justice Onnoghen.

The Clerk to the Senate, Mr. Nelson Ayewoh, in a statement released yesterday, asked senators to resume sitting in plenary on tomorrow.

It was gathered that the leadership of the Senate will meet ahead of tomorrow’s resumption to strategise before the resumption tomorrow. Senate President, Bukola Saraki is expected to preside over the leadership meeting.

As at press time, Saraki was said to be conducting campaigns in home state, Kwara.

It could not be confirmed if the leadership meeting planned to hold in Abuja would still take place.

As source said: “As I speak to you, the Senate President is still in Offa, Kwara State. He is holding campaign meetings. From here, we will go to Ilorin. I don’t know when we will finish from here. I am also aware that a meeting of principal officers is supposed to hold this night (last night). That is all I can say.”

APC senators are said to have concluded arrangements to meet with President Buhari today.

Although details of the meeting with President Buhari are not yet known, it is said to have been scheduled to hold in the Presidential Villa.

One of the APC senators, Kabiru Marafa, confirmed the meeting.

Marafa said that the meeting is expected to hold by 7.30pm at the Presidential Villa.

The senator’s meeting with the President may not be unconnected with strategies to counter moves by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the suspension of Justice Onnoghen.

It was also gathered that there may a showdown in Senate between APC senators and their Peoples Democratic colleagues.

A source said that the resumption of plenary notice by the Clerk to the Senate has raised palpable tension in the upper chamber.

The notice of resumption reads in part: “This is to inform all Distinguished Senators of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that resumption of plenary earlier scheduled for Tuesday, 19th February, 2019, has now been rescheduled for Tuesday, 29th January, 2019.

“Distinguished Senators are by this notice, requested to resume sitting in plenary on Tuesday 29th January, 2019 by 10:00am prompt please.”

According to the source, the showdown may arise if the resolution taken is against President Buhari.

He noted that the APC senators will oppose any resolution asking President Buhari to reverse himself on the CJN.

APC senators are in simple majority of 56 members while PDP senator are 46.

Also yesterday, the Coalition for United Political Parties (CUPP) alleged plots to forcefully effect a change in the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly.

The CUPP, at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, said the alleged plot is slated for execution tomorrow.

Spokesman for the CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere, said available information indicated that some All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the two chambers have been mobilised to executive the plot.

The CUPP spokesman alleged that the ruling party plans to replace Dr. Bukola Saraki and Yakubu Dogara as Senate President and House Speaker.