Udoma Replaces Oyofo as Senate Chief Whip
From Kola Ologbondiyan in Abuja
The Senate yesterday in a unanimous decision accepted the resolution of the South-south caucus that Senator Victor Kashim Oyofo (PDP, Edo State) be removed as the leader of the caucus and the Senate Majority Whip.
Oyofo was immediately replaced through a unanimous decision with Senator Udoma Udo Udoma.
The decision to remove Oyofo became manifest when Senator David Brigidi (PDP, Bayelsa State) asked Senate President Adolphus Wabara to make public a notice which the caucus had earlier sent to him.
Wabara, who was hesitant, however read the announcement thus: "This is to inform the Senate that we the underlisted members of the South/south caucus of the Senate have lost confidence in the leadership of Senator Victor Kashim Oyofo as the Chief Whip of the Senate. He therefore stands removed as the Chief Whip and Leader of the South/south caucus," the notice read.
Those who signed the letter were: Senators Brigidi (PDP, Bayelsa); Itak Bob-Ekarika (PDP, Akwa Ibom); Effiong Bob (Akwa Ibom); Udoma U. Udoma (Akwa Ibom); Ibiapuye Martyns-Yellowe (PDP, Rivers); Lee Maeba (PDP, Rivers); Victor Ndoma-Egba (PDP, Cross River) Ewa Henshaw (PDP, Cross River); Daisy Ehanire-Danjuma (PDP, Edo); James Manager (PDP, Delta); John Azuta-Mbata (PDP, Rivers); Enatimi Rufus-Spiff (PDP, Bayelsa); and Senator John K Brambaifa (Bayelsa).
Out of 18 senators representing the South/south 15 of them signed the removal letter.
The second notice, which also contained the contents published above, however added a caveat that "we have nominated Senator Udoma Udo Udoma as replacement for the ratification of the Senate."
After reading the notices to the floor, Wabara recognised Oyofo who remarked, "In this Senate, we are not just lawmakers but executing a process. I was neither accused nor told what my offences are. Until I'm told, it is not right. I was appointed in Port Harcourt by the South/south leaders. We must uphold the principle of justice. I was not present at the meeting neither was I told anything."
Manager, however, protested the nomination of Udoma as replacement to Oyofo arguing that, "I'm representing a people and I don't want anybody to speak for me. I signed the first leg (Oyofo's sack) and not the second one (Udoma's replacement). We resolved that after the first leg, we will meet the leaders and decide. I deny the second leg."
Also contributing, Senator Sa'ad Mohammed noted that, "appreciating the gravity of the announcement with regard to Senator Manager's position, we can't agree to leaving the Senate without a Chief Whip."
But Martyns-Yellowe responded, "It's the practice that Senate President and Deputy Senate President tenure are decided by general elections while others are referred to their zones. We have had removal before. It was the same way with Senator Stella Omu in the last Senate. So there is no deviation from the standard practice. Oyofo stands removed and the replacement is our decision.
Rufus-Spiff, in aligning with Martyns-Yellowe that Oyofo be removed, said the caucus also resolved that Udoma should replace him. "If Manager didn't sign, we are still in the majority. Like Yellowe said, we pray the Senate confirm the wish of the South/south senators," he added.
However, Senator Nuhu Aliyu urged that "it's honourable that having found his side has not been heard, he should be given a chance." But Brigidi replied that "we have accepted that it's our responsibility to change our leaders. The Senate should not impose a leader on unwilling people. I don't know what the new rule is all about. We have made up our mind and 13 of us have signed. We should put the question and if the Senate ruled that we should not remove him, so be it."
The Senate President then drew the attention of the floor to Oyofo's defence that he was not given a chance to defend himself and then recognised Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora who cautioned that, "to the best of my understanding in legislative procedure, even the removal of the Senate President in the Constitution only says by resolution of 2/3. But in so doing, I want to caution that we be careful not to set bad precedents because people will refer to this when it comes."
Senator Felix Ibru, who took the floor, pleaded that, "even though it's the right of the Senate to take decisions, as a member of the family, there are times that we should consult as senators before coming to the public. Even if my views are in the minority, you should listen to my advice that we should collectively withdraw the move" but senators shouted No!
Continuing, Ibru pleaded that family consideration should prevail even as Wabara explained, "I've been involved in this before. I want to join Ibru to plead with senators from South/south. I agree that it is their prerogative. If he (Ibru) is talking as the oldest man from that zone, they (South/South) would not withdraw the notice but come back to tell us that they have resolved."
Brigidi, who also countered Ibru's plea said "our Leader (Ibru) is aware that he made that appeal seven times at that meeting and we individually and collectively rebuffed. We have given it due consideration and he opted not to be a signatory. This is not a matter we want to take back but for the Senate to accept or reject".
Oyofo, who was recognised again stated. "If the Senate upheld that a man should be decided upon without being heard, so be it but principle of justice say if you want to judge a man, give him a fair hearing."
The Senate Committee on Appropriation and Finance Chairman, Senator Azuta-Mbata, said the Senate is a political arena and what obtains in the courts may not necessarily be the system.
Wabara then said if the South/south senators are insisting on sacking their leader, it has to come via a motion and not by public announcement.
At this juncture, Azuta-Mbata quickly left for his seat and indicated his readiness to move the motion that the Senate President put the question in line with the notice. Wabara did and the motion was carried by voice vote without a dissent. Mbata also did the second leg of the notice as a motion and it was carried too without a dissent.
Martyns-Yellowe later dispelled allegations that Oyofo was sacked because of his opposition to a motion on Social Responsibility on the part of oil companies in their areas of operations last Wednesday.
Oyofo had moved against the bill to the consternation of the members of his geo-political zone.
According to Martyns-Yellowe, the decision to sack Oyofo "was a cumulation of several reasons. Leadership that is not acceptable, no meetings, and he makes statements on issues without referring to the members of the caucus. It's a cumulation of factors."
While leaving for his car, Oyofo told THISDAY that his colleagues can't "lay charges without hearing my defence. I also didn't expect the Senate President to uphold the decision where the person accused was not allowed to defend himself."
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