No plot to impeach Buhari – Dino Melaye

Dino Melaye, a senator from Kogi State, on Wednesday morning said reports that he was planning to initiate impeachment proceeding against President Muhammadu Buhari were not true.

Mr. Melaye, chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory, said the “falsehood” emanated from those who didn’t want Nigeria to progress unless they were in power.

Mr. Melaye made the remarks in a statement he signed and distributed on Wednesday morning in Abuja.

Mr. Melaye said the reports were a “narrative of the attack dogs of demagogues who have decided to turn Nigeria upside down for failing to choose leaders for senators.”

Mr. Melaye was reported to have told senators during an executive session on Tuesday that lawmakers should pass articles of impeachment against Mr. Buhari for his alleged disrespect for the National Assembly.

“It is pertinent to note that the incredulously machinated misinformation was orchestrated by forces bent on destabilising the upper chambers of the Nigerian Parliament for selfish reasons.

“One of the mushroom and faceless online platforms used to promote the ill-fated and calumnious write-up has been notorious for serving as the propagandist machinery of political commercialists who are pushing for the extension of their fiefdom to the National Assembly,” Mr. Melaye said.

Mr. Melaye, however, decried the manner in which the legislative arm of government is being treated, saying the National Assembly should be given a free hand to carry out its difficult responsibilities.

“While I remain unimpeachably committed to the leadership of the Senate, I believe the respected arm of government charged with the onerous responsibility of lawmaking should be given the independence to conduct its business.

“I am a responsible Nigerian, role model and a champion of anti-corruption and equity which my party (APC) stands for. I therefore urge the general public to discountenance the libellous publication as I will continue to respect the history, culture and excellence of my Kogi West people on the floor of the Senate. The true threat to the current republic are those who believe that a Nigeria that is not led by them must not exist,” Mr. Melaye said.