The swift move by Senate President, David Mark at today’s sitting of the lawmakers forestalled what would have snowballed into a major fracas between loyalists of two People’s Democratic Party (PDP) factions in the upper chamber.
Senator Danjuma Goje (PDP-Gombe), had stood up to eulogise the late former governor of Ondo State, Olusegun Agagu.
He then introduced himself as belonging to the “new and authentic PDP”.
Senator Smart Adeyemi (PDP-Kogi), immediately raised order 53 of the senate standing rules, insisting that it was utterly wrong for Goje, a PDP member who had not decamped, to speak as though the PDP had two factions.
“As far as I know, there is no faction in PDP and to lay claim to two PDPs is unconstitutional,” Adeyemi said, demanding Goje to withdraw his statement and apologise to the senate.
When the Senate President asked Goje to explain what he meant by the statement, Goje replied by putting it clearly: “I am a PDP member under the chairmanship of Kawu Baraje”.
Sensing imminent danger, Mark ruled that he was satisfied that Goje said he was a member of PDP, adding that the matter should not go any further as the chairmanship of the party was not a subject of discussion on the floor.
“I am satisfied that Goje said he is in the PDP and so that is my ruling because the chairmanship of the party is not a matter for discussion by the senate.
“The PDP remains one strong and indivisible entity,” Mark said.
The Senate later observed a minute silence in honour of the late Agagu who died on September 13 at the age of 65.
This followed a debate on a motion sponsored by Senators Ayo Akinyelure and Robert Boroffice (APC-Ondo), in which they described Agagu as an intellectual of no mean repute, a consummate politician, a nationalist and a devoted Christian.
They prayed God to console his wife and children and to give them the grace to bear the loss.
Sen. Ehigie Uzamere (APC-Edo), also extolled the virtues of Agagu, saying that he (Agagu) was a firm believer that the PDP crisis would soon be over, since it was only a family affair.
In his remark, the Senate President described the late former governor as a perfect gentleman, who even when he lost his case in court, took it in good stride.
He stressed on the need for political office holders to work in such a way that they would be remembered for good when they are no more.
The Senate resolved to send a delegation to commiserate with the family, government and people of Ondo State.
Also on Wedenesday, the Senate confirmed the appointment of Justice Ibrahim Bukar as the Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
His confirmation followed the recommendation of the Sen. Umaru Dahiru (PDP-Sokoto)-led Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.
Comentários