The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on Nigerians to resist any attempt by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Nigerian Government to forcefully reconvene the Senate.
The party also asked the international community to hold the APC-led federal government responsible should the nation’s democracy fall under any harm in the coming days.
The main opposition party also warned that any attempt to forcefully take over the control of the National Assembly was a direct recipe for crisis and anarchy.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said the APC was working hand in gloves with security agencies to illegally change the leadership of the National Assembly.
The statement read, “Nigerians would recall that we alerted the nation that the purported overseas vacation by President Muhammadu Buhari was to enable his cabal overrun the National Assembly in a manner reminiscent of the siege at the Benue State House of Assembly, so as to sack the current elected Senate leadership and install their stooges.
“When this is done, the Buhari Presidency will in its characteristic response, claim that ‘Mr. President is unaware.’
“The PDP cautions, in the strongest possible terms, that Nigeria as a nation will never allow such direct assault to the highest symbol of our integrity as a democratic state.
“The laws of our nation regarding the sanctity and sovereignty of our legislature are clear and our citizens will never allow any person or group of persons, no matter the circumstances, undermine the constitutional integrity of the legislature as representatives of the people.
“Any attempt to tempt the will of the people in this direction is a clear recipe for very serious crisis.
“The laid down rules for reconvening the Senate whenever it is on recess, which must be followed when it becomes compelling to reopen the senate on a date order than the earlier adjourned date, are clear and direct.
“In such a circumstance, Order 12(2) of the Senate Standing Rule (2015) clearly vest such powers and functions on the Senate President, who shall give notice of such new date and time.
“Anything outside the provision of the law is a direct coup not only against the National Assembly but also on our entire democratic system. It is a clear recipe for anarchy of monumental proportion capable of disarticulating our nation.”
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