National Assembly Crisis: 81 Senators Pass Vote of Confidence on Saraki & Ekweremadu

 

As they began their plenary session after four weeks recess on Tuesday, it was a shocker for most members of Senate when 81 senators passed a vote of confidence on Senate President, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu without a dissenting voice.

The sudden vote of confidence on the leadership of the Senate which was unanimously adopted by Senators in the chamber appeared to be the anti-climax as the much anticipated showdown on the floor of the upper chamber failed to come to pass.

The motion for the vote of confidence was sponsored by Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East), and supported by Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) along with 80 others. Out of the 81 Senators, 35 are All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers while 46 other supporters of the motion are Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform.

Anyanwu in his lead debate, said that the Senate is determined to continue to perform its constitutional duties and responsibilities without fear or favour. He also said that the Senate is resolved to focus on matters of interest and importance to the ordinary people of Nigeria in view of the enormous challenges facing the nation.

He prayed the Senate to resolve to pass a vote of confidence on Senate President, Saraki, Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu and the entire Senate leadership as presently constituted. The three prayers were unanimously adopted.

Saraki did not allow the motion to be debated. He said that since 81 Senators endorsed the motion, there was no need for further debate.