Reports of plots to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio have taken a new twist, with a coalition of civic organizations and at least 10 former governors in the upper chamber now calling for his removal.
The Coalition for Parliamentary Democracy has asked Akpabio to step down, saying that he has fallen out of favor with his colleagues. CPD has accused Akpabio of failing to fit into the duties of a Presiding Officer and providing a transparent and credible leadership.
The coalition has also dismissed Akpabio’s claims that a South-South governor is behind the impeachment threat as “a face-saving measure” and “a dangerous and unstatesmanlike venture that is capable of triggering crisis in the polity”.
“As Parliamentary watchers, we believe that Senator Akpabio should face the issues raised by his colleagues including allegations of lack of transparency, violation of elementary rudiments, conventions and processes of presiding over the Senate, diminishing the integrity of the Senate on financial matters and claims of preferentialism in the management of the Senate”. The coalition said in a statement by its National Coordinator, Dr. Menike Johnson
The CPD has called on Akpabio to “save the nation further trouble by stepping down as Senate President”
Meanwhile, pro-Akpabio senators are reportedly embarking on a troubleshooting mission to their colleagues, while some of them are contemplating getting the Abdullahi Ganduje-led All Progressives Congress National Working Committee involved.
The APC has said that it has not been officially informed about Akpabio’s travails, but an APC official said that the party is “just reading a lot of things but we have heard that some of the senators are thinking of meeting with our NWC to help resolve the issue”.
The impeachment plot against Akpabio is reportedly being led by at least 10 former governors in the upper chamber. The governors are said to be unhappy with Akpabio’s leadership style and his handling of the Senate’s finances.
