The senate majority
whip, Senator Victor
Oyofo (PDP/Edo) was yesterday removed from office following a no confidence vote passed on him by the South-south caucus of the senate.
Senator Udo Udoma (PDP/Akwa/Ibom), was immediately named as his successor by the caucus. Thirteen senators from the South-south zone signed the notice for his impeachment, which was eventually unani-mously adopted by the senate following a motion moved by Senator John Azuta Mbata.
Attempts by Senate President, Adolphus Wabara and Senator Felix Ibru (PDP/Delta), to save Senator Oyofo from impeachment however failed as Senators from the South-south insisted on pushing ahead with their plan.
Both senators upon the announcement by the South-south caucus to remove Senator Oyofo as their leader, appealed for more consultations for the matter to be treated as a “family affair.”
Senator Ibru spoke first, saying that: “At certain times, it is proper for a family to consult properly before decisions are taken. I advice that we should collectively withdraw what we are saying now. Family considerations should take precedence on this issue to allow for more consultations.”
The Senate President in aligning with Senator Ibru, said even thought the impea-chment plan was “a family matter which has now bec-ome a senate matter, the issue could still be resolved at the South-south caucus level.”
Rejecting the appeal by the Senate President and Senator Ibru, a member of the South-south caucus, Senator David Brigidi, said similar appeals for the withdrawal of the impeachment plan had been made to the caucus but were turned down, adding however that the only option available to the senate was to either reject or adopt the impeachment notice.
Also, Senator Mbata in his contribution said, “13 senators out of 18 have spoken on this matter. We have heard the appeals but we are still insisting that the senate put the matter before it and allow parliamentary procedure to prevail.”
Thereafter, Senator Wabara replied, “I have heard you but I am constrained to put the question. I cannot put the question because it is an announcement. But, if you are insisting, let it come in the way of a motion.
Upon this, Senator Mbata moved thus; “in line with notice to the senate and duly signed by 13 senators that Senator Oyofo be removed as Senate Whip, I hereby move a motion to that effect.”
He further moved another motion, nominating Senator Udo Udoma as successor to Senator Oyofo. Both motions were seconded by Senator David Brigidi and were unanimously adopted by the senate. |
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