Yar’Adua: Senate may consider impeachment
11 February, 2010 04:08:00 COSMAS EKPUNOBI
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Senate President David Mark
There were strong indications yesterday that the Senate may reopen impeachment plots against President Umaru Yar’Adua, even as some President’s kinsmen in the National Assembly are planning to challenge the resolution of the lawmakers in court.
Daily Champion gathered that the pro impeachment senators who are still in the majority have perfected plans to reopen the plot which was said to be the initial agreement if the courts reverse the resolution of the National Assembly.
Source alleged that impeachment may become a fall back position for the National Assembly in the event of some people succeeding in using the courts to reverse the decision of the lawmakers on the ailing President.
Senate had earlier declared that it had never foreclosed impeachment in the quest to fill the leadership vacuum created by the President’s continued absence from office.
Senate and House of Representatives had on Tuesday passed a resolution recognising Jonathan as Acting President.
Source alleged yesterday that some northern senators may have been discussing with some prominent lawyers in a bid to reverse the resolution of the National Assembly.
Senator Garba Lado, an in-law to the President had on Tuesday insisted that the Senate had no constitutional powers to make an Acting President.
Also, Daily Champion gathered that leading pro impeachment senators met early yesterday to review the option.
The group had before the resolution on Tuesday given the ailing President nine days to transmit his letter of medical vacation or face impeachment.
The ultimatum is expected to expire today, with no sign of the President complying with section 145 of the 1999 Constitution.
The source said the Senate resolution on Tuesday was to assuage the group.
But more trouble appears to be coming the way of the President as the lawmakers seeking to impeach him regrouped for fresh attack.
The group is said to be afraid that the Senate resolution may not stand the test of time following the hue and cry trailing it, and is now poised to follow constitutional option to address the leadership vacuum created by the prolonged absence of Yar’Adua from the country.
A senator who spoke to Daily Champion on the condition of anonymity, said the initial agreement was to commence impeachment of the President.
However, the Senate settled for plan B following the intervention of some prominent Nigerians
The source said: “We will go back to impeach him, because we are not here to play.
“I agree that what we did was wrong but we will be forced to end it all if it becomes clear that our resolution can not stand.”


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I want the NASS to proceed with impeachment plans so as to make themselves blameless. As it stands now, Goodluck would just be standing on one foot as any competent lawsuit can nullify his position. Mallam Yar'Adua should simply be impeached for gross misconduct without mincing words. Period.