Election Sequence: Saraki Walks Tightrope As 48 Senators Kick

Indications emerged on Tuesday that Senate President Bukola Saraki may be walking a tight as 48 senators have backed out of the reordering of the election sequence for 2019.

THE WHISTLER learnt reliably from close sources that those who have backed out from supporting the proposed amendments did so out of ‘intense pressures from their state governors.’

Since the National Assembly moved to amend the constitution on sequence of election in the country, there polity seems to have been heated up with some senators led by Abdullahi Adamu, former governor of Nasarawa state alleging it was targeted at President Muhammadu Buhari.

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court Abuja which had stopped the National Assembly from overriding the president for declining assent failed to lift its order barring the lawmakers from vetoing Buhari.

A source who spoke on the development to THE WHISTLER said: “I can tell you that the number of those opposed to the bill reordering the election sequence is growing. At present, 48 senators have signed up to not supporting the bill which means the Senate President cannot muster the required two-third to veto the president.

“This should also serve as a warning to him (Senate President) that he should be watchful.”

Our correspondent gathered that the senators who are in opposition to the amendments have been promised smooth sail at the party’s primary and guaranteed re-election.

It will be recalled that 10 senators of the ruling All Progressives Congress had protested against the amendment and left plenary to press home their opposition.

The senators who have consistently objected to the move are: Abdullahi Adamu, Nasarawa-APC; Ovie Omo-Agege, Delta-APC; Binta Garba, Adamawa-APC; Ali Wakili, Bauchi-APC; Kurfi Umaru, Katsina-APC and Andrew Uchendu, Rivers-APC.

Others are Abdullahi Danbaba, Sokoto-APC; Yahaya Abdullahi, Kebbi-APC; Abu Ibrahim, Katsina-APC, and Benjamin Uwajumogu, Imo-APC.

They described the amendment and process of passage as ‘illegal’, vowing that it would not stand.

A leader of the dissenting group, Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa-APC), questioned the conduct of the senate president, Bukola Saraki, in the passage process.