Teddy Oscar, Abuja
As the ongoing leadership crisis that is currently rocking the 8th Assembly lingers, members of the South-East Caucus of the National Assembly have passed “a vote of total and irrevocable confidence on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, as the Deputy President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.
The group also warned the leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) that plots or actions against Ekweremadu shall be viewed as direct attack on democracy, good governance, independence of the legislature, and indeed the political interest of the South-East in particular and the nation in general
According to a resolution signed by 37 of its members, sequel to their meeting in Abuja, the group noted that the National Assembly has its own internal mechanism for settling internal disputes, as prescribed by Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
It, therefore, stated that nobody outside the National Assembly can unseat Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President.
The South-East Caucus of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, comprising distinguished senators and honourable members of the House of Representatives, rose from a crucial meeting on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 in Abuja, where we noted with a deep sense of concern the orchestrated attempts to malign and undermine the highly esteemed person and office of the Deputy President of the Senate, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, CFR.
“We also noted in particular, that some politicians, out of rabid desperation and malice, have gone as far as fabricating baseless allegations against the Deputy President of the Senate to achieve narrow political interests over and above the larger interest of peace and equity in the country.
“Accordingly, therefore, we resolved as follows: that all South-East members of the National Assembly stand resolutely behind Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy President of the Senate of Nigeria.
“That we shall not condone any further attempts to undermine him in that capacity, as any such plots or actions against Senator Ike Ekweremadu shall be viewed as an attack on democracy, good governance, independence of the legislature, and indeed the political interest of the South-East in particular and the nation in general.
“That the National Assembly has its own internal mechanism for settling internal disputes as prescribed by Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. We wish to state that nobody outside the National Assembly can unseat Senator Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy President of the Senate; and we in the National Assembly are satisfied that he is a round peg in a round hole in the Office.
“Consequently, we do hereby pass a vote of total and irrevocable confidence on His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu as the Deputy President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the resolution read.
The resolution was jointly signed by 14 senators and 23 members of the House.
They include: senators Enyinnaya Abaribe, Theodor Orji, Moa Ohuabunwa, Stella Odua, Uche Ekwunife, Andy Uba, Sam Egwu, Obinna Ogba, Sunny Ogbuoji, Gil Nnaji, Chuka Utazi, Hope Uzodinma, Athan Achonu and Sam Anyanwu.
Those from the House are: Hon. Ossy Prestige Chinedu Ehiriodo, Nkole Uko Ndukwe, Elendu-Ukeje Nnenna Ijeoma, Darlington Nwokocha, Onyejeocha Nkeiruka, Adaelu Solomon Ezinwa, Onuigbo Samuel Ifeanyi, Nkem Abonta Uzoma, Sylvester Ogbaga, Igrariwey Iduma Enwo, Anayo Edwin and Linus Okorie.
Others are: Hon. Madubueze Peter Obaino, Idu Emeka Godwin Obiajulu, Chukwuka Onyema Wilfred, Azodo Eucharia, Onyenwife Gabriel, Anayo Nnebe, Okechukwu Nnamdi Eze, Obinna Chidoka, Anohu Chukwuemeka Reginald, Chris Emeka Ifeanyi Azubogu and Sopuluchukwu Ezeonwuka.
