By Elizabeth ADENUGA
The Coalition for United Political Parties (CUPP) has alleged plots to forcefully effect a change in the leadership of the two chambers of the National Assembly.
The CUPP, at a media briefing in Abuja on Sunday, said the alleged plot, which is slated for execution on Tuesday, had received the nod of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Spokesman for the CUPP, Ikenga Ugochinyere told journalists that available information indicated that some All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in the two chambers have been mobilised to executive the plot.
Recall that the leadership of the Senate had invited members to reconvene on Tuesday to deliberate and take positions on the suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen.
The CUPP spokesman further stated that Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan is being primed to take over frm Dr Bukola Saraki as President of the Senate.
According to the CUPP, the plot will also see Senator Hope Uzodinma taking over from Ike Ekweremadu as Deputy Senate President, while Senator Godswill Akpabio will become Senate Majority Leader.
The Coalition said, part of the plot is to replace Mr. Yakubu Dogara with Mr Femi Gbajabiamila as Speaker of the House of Representatives, while Mr. Abdulmumini Jibril will be made to replace Mr Lasun Yusuf as Deputy Speaker.
President Buhari had, on Friday, suspended Justice Onnoghen, following advice from the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT). The President had since sworn-in Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammed as Acting CJN.
Ugochinyere said, “The APC led Federal Government are of the firm belief that Tuesday is their best and last chance to effect the changes as their control of the judiciary will be put to use to ensure there is no reversal of justice for the present occupants.
“The APC is ready to do whatever and destroy the very fulcrum of our constitutional democracy on Tuesday and have vowed, it is tomorrow or never.
“The judicial coup, which they believed was supposed to be more difficult, went very easily beyond their imagination hence the need to complete the takeover of the National Assembly immediately so that the distraction of the election campaigns will be put to use.
“They have also resolved that the government will make some big positive announcements tomorrow being Monday, 28th January so as to deflect the minds of Nigerians”.
The CUPP identified some serving APC senators and members of the House of Representatives as arrowheads of the alleged plot.
Continuing, Ugochinyere said, “Nigerians are hereby put on notice that these coupists are plotting that Sen. Saraki, the Senate President, Sen Ike Ekweremmadu the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ben Bruce and Sen. Sen. Dino Melaye, Biodun Olujimi, Hon. Dogara, Kingsley Chinda, Nnena Ukeje among others would be stopped by security agents from gaining entry into the National Assembly.
“Thugs have been mobilized from Plateau, Kwara and Kogi to mount protest at the gates of the National Assembly and have the approval to attack and disperse any group that come to hold a counter rally.
“Nigerians have been sleeping too much and not keeping vigilance. We hereby reiterate our call; If you are sleeping- wake up! If you are eating – stop! If you are playing – stop!
“The political barbarians are knocking on the last door of constitutional governance and democratic rule and are willing to knock it down if we do not resist them.
“This was how Hitler started! He burnt down the parliament and we all know the tyrant that was born afterwards. Nigerians be vigilant, many citizens paid the supreme price to win our democracy which President Buhari and his Buccaneers want to destroy.
“We shall stand shoulder to shoulder with all men of good will till we overcome. They claim they have taken over the Media!
They claim they have taken over the judiciary!
They claim they have taken over the INEC!
They claim they are now taking over the Legislature!
“But alas!!! They have not taken over the Nigerian people, our collective will and our renowned resilience to push back evil out of our land! Freedom comes by struggle!”.— The NATION
