Senator Abdullahi Adamu (APC, Nassarawa West), accused of spearheading alleged plot to oust Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has debunked the allegation.
Adamu was accused by Obinna Ogba, (Ebonyi Central), on Thursday, March 8, during plenary with what he called “evidence” of Adamu’s plot to oust Saraki.
Ogba said he has a transcript of Adamu speaking with other people about his plans.
“I rise this morning to bring to the notice of the senate that there is a plan by some people in this senate, maybe under the leadership of my distinguished colleague, particularly senator Abdullahi Adamu. Mr. President, you remember in January, distinguished senator Misau made a comment here that there was a plan to remove the Senate President and in fact the leadership.
“Now, I have reliable information that some people are already planning to destabilise the senate, including the senate leadership by organising demonstration of which money is already exchanging hands. I believe that all of us are all leaders in this in this country and everybody who see something that will destabilise the country or the senate or even the democracy should avoid it.
“As we are here, if there is any is going on, you have the opportunity to raise it and not to go outside the chambers to start planning civil resistance, market women to come for demonstration against the leadership of the senate.
“Mr. President, I want this senate to investigate this matter properly. I have evidence to show what I’m saying. There is a telephone conversation going on which any other person can also print it out, between senator Abdullahi Adamu and some other people,” Ogba said before laying hi evidence.
Ike Ekeweremadu, deputy senate president, who presided over plenary said anyone planning to destabilise the country “is not doing us good”.
“The difference between military, autocratic regime and any other oppressive regime is the parliament. Once we remove the parliament, there is going to be problem. In whatever we do, we must continue to preserve the sanctity of the parliament,” Ekeweremadu said.
But reacting, Adamu said Saraki is like a son to him, denying being involved in the alleged plot to remove him.
Speaking with reporters hours after Ogba’s statement, the accused senator said he found what transpired at the chamber as “amusing”.
“A colleague called me and drew my attention to what happened on the floor of the senate today. It is amusing but very sadden at the same time.
“I am not in anyway after Saraki. Saraki is like a son to me. I had the right to contest for the senate president seat three years ago when the 8th senate was inaugurated, but I never did because I wasn’t interested.
“It is therefore, not logical for anyone to say I’m interested in the seat now, and will be planning to destabilise the senate. To achieve what? For what purpose? It is not right for anyone to make such unfounded insinuations.
“We are almost three years in office, the election year is drawing nearer, and I think anyone thinking of upstaging the leadership of the senate for any reason will only be fighting a lost battle because it is not what should naturally occupy the mind of any serious-minded lawmaker.
“As for me, let me repeat that I’m not in anyway after Saraki, I can’t be after Saraki, and I won’t do anything to upstage the leadership as being claimed because it’s a fruitless venture.
“But if I believe strongly in a cause, I stand by it. If I’ve offended anyone by my strong stand on some issues in the senate in accordance with my conviction, I stand by it anytime. But the issue of trying to cause disaffection in the senate is a no issues at all.
“Whatever we do in this world, we must be ready to bear our cross, I’m ready to bear mine. Anyone who knows me will say clearly that I’m not plotting to remove Saraki. Let them look for another thing to say,” he said.
Adamu challenged those who levelled the allegations against him to provide “incontrovertible facts” to prove their claims.
Adamu is one of the senator’s who kicked against the amended election timetable for 2019.
He was later removed as chairman of the northern senators’ forum after being accused “financial mismanagement and maladministration”.
