*President lobbies Saraki, Dogara *Explains why he wants second term

Omololu Ogunmade and Damilola Oyedele in in Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari may have survived a strong bid by some members of the National Assembly to impeach him over the payment of $496 million to the United States Government for the purchase of 12 Tucano military aircraft without the authorisation of the legislature as required by the 1999 Constitution as altered.

The Senate had asked its committee on Judiciary, penultimate week to look into the payment and determine if there had been a breach of the constitution, and if yes, what it should do in the circumstances.

The committee’s report which was due last week, would, however, be laid on Tuesday.
Reliable sources told THISDAY that the decision to jettison the impeachment bid stemmed from intense lobby of the leadership of the National Assembly, by the president and his aides.

Perhaps aware of the impending soft landing, yesterday the president felt comfortable enough to tell the nation why he wants a second term of office, saying it is motivated by the desire to serve the people better and improve their welfare.

Buhari had come under intensive fire since THISDAY reported exclusively his letter to the National Assembly requesting its approval for the payment made for the military hardware without appropriation.

Accused of breaching the Constitution, many legislators in both chambers had canvassed for his impeachment. He was, however, given some respite by Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who skilfully steered their angry members away from that direction and sought to buy time for tempers to cool by referring the matter to their appropriate committees for advice.

Buhari had, in his letter seeking approval for the expenditure, had explained that the payment was made to beat a February deadline stipulated by the military hardware manufacturers.

But debating the request, many legislators, including Senator Matthew Uroghide (Edo PDP) and Hon. Kingsley Chinda (Rivers PDP) had argued that the president action was in clear breach of Section 80 (4) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides “No money shall be withdrawn from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Federation, except in the manner prescribed by the National Assembly.”

They, therefore, urged their colleagues to invoke section 143 of the Constitution, which outlines the modalities for impeaching the president.

Some senators, however, argued that the president’s offence did not warrant impeachment since he acted in the interest of national security.

But as the debate raged, the leadership of both chambers applied moderation to find a breathing space for the president.
This, THISDAY learnt at the weekend paid off bountifully.

A source disclosed that the president seized the opportunity to meet with Saraki and Dogara, who then prevailed on the committees to give him a soft landing.

The source further explained that the committee would find a way to slightly exonerate the president on the basis of section 83 (1) (2) of the constitution, which border on contingency fund.

The sections read: (1) the National Assembly may by law make provisions for the establishment of a Contingencies Fund for the Federation and for authorising the President, if satisfied that there has arisen an urgent and unforeseen need for expenditure for which no other provision exists, to make advances from the Fund to meet the need.

https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2018/05/06/senators-drop-impeachment-consider-reprimand-of-buhari-over-496m-tucano-aircraft-payment/amp/

k. toothless dog forming kingkong. seun can I send my acc number for d FTC

Them no born dem well before.

NEXT!!

Birds of same feathers.... like President, like SINators.

All of you are thieves including the self righteous Dullard who is incorruptible but seek for medical attention,sends his children to school overseas and appoint his relatives to sensitive positions.

You idiotic cowards in the National Assembly should allow us vote him out peacefully in 2019....after all its just few months away.

OK, if them like

After seeing what has become Of Senator Dino Malaye, no one in the NASS wants to be another scape goat.

Na dem Sabi if they give am soft landing or pedaling. What I know is that if it were the Nass that made any mistake the presidency will not spare them. Most of the hatred people have fir Nass now is the handiwork of the executive.
Their own cup of tea Sha. All of them Na thieves

Rubbish. 1million of them CANNOT try it.

It is not only DSS that will lock down NA, even Civil Defence LASTMA and NYSC will join them to lock it.down.

Cowards

Its fear gallore, fear everywhere in Nigeria.

Abeg where is NwaAmaikpe?

Saraki the Nigerian Senate President with a British passport.

Potential traitor.

No pig can stop buhari come 2019

Stamp duty

SuperS1Panther:
Rubbish. 1million of them CANNOT try it.

It is not only DSS that will lock down NA, even Civil Defence LASTMA and NYSC will join them to lock it.down.

Even civilian will join.Those senators are very Useless

The legislature is a place of honourable men who will do the needful.

Bunch of cowards.

BOTH D EXECUTIVE AND D LEGISLATORS ARE PLAYING WITH OUR INTELLIGENCY ROGUES

I pity that senator that called for impeachment?

Empty barrels. ...

Dear Lord,
We commit our Nation Nigeria unto Thee Oh God, heal our Land and touch Your people once again. Let Thy peace reign over our many trouble and bless our leaders with a sense of DIRECTion. Amen.
Good morning Nlanders.

Toothless Bulldogs

Buhari is a monumental failure and a Big Disaster

In fact I'm on my way to go get my PVC!

Buhari must go 2019.

The fear of Buhari .....

Kikikikiki.
I think they eventually got the message that PMB will not share money. I have learnt that the budget will be passed this week too.
God bless President Muhammadu Buhari.
God bless Nigeria.

I knew they were not bold enough. They have just nailed their coffin. The much reason why they can not call a common Nigerian like me or an ordinary Nigerian and we will answer them. Ask the IGP.

This surprises no one.

The ApC dimwits on this forum will have a field day getting estatic and claiming this is a a sign buhari is effective

I laugh in disgust whenever APc dimwits on this forum comment , they have the uncanny ability to speak for long and yet say nothing

Bunch of delusional dimwits

For the senators they are mostly APc dimwits so I am not surprised

No sane.nigerian expected these corrupt not knowing people to actually fight for the masses so what's new ?

To all nairaland APC dimwits may you live long lives and reap what you sow

Buhari must leave by fire by force or by thunder....thorns on Nigerians flesh!!!

I am a good WRiter that can write on any category or niche

I pity people that take Nigerian senate serious, we blind our eyes to the real problems of the country and keep insulting Buhari for hate. I am not saying PMB is perfect but he is not the major problem