Impeachment Threats Against President Buhari: An Analysis of the Current Political Climate in Nigeria

Strategic Insights -

The threat of impeachment against President Muhammadu Buhari by lawmakers in the Nigerian Senate has raised concerns about the political climate in the country. The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators, led by Minority Leader Senator Philip Aduda, have issued a six-week ultimatum to the President to address the growing insecurity in Nigeria or face impeachment. The ultimatum follows a walkout by PDP Senators on Wednesday, July 27, 2022, after their motion on insecurity was ruled out of order by Senate President Ahmad Lawan.

Key Takeaways:

  • The impeachment threat is based on concerns about the growing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where there have been attacks by terrorists and bandits.
  • The opposition Senators have claimed that the President's administration has failed to implement recommendations and resolutions made by the legislative arm of government to address the insecurity.
  • The impeachment plot is seen as a last resort by the lawmakers, who feel that the President's administration has failed to address the security challenges facing the country.
  • The opposition Senators have the support of some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which is the ruling party in Nigeria.
  • The Senate President has been accused of breaching legislative rules by ruling out the motion on insecurity, which has led to the walkout by the PDP Senators.
  • The impeachment process would involve the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, who is also the President's in-law, which has raised concerns about the feasibility of the plan.
  • The presidency has described the impeachment threat as "performative and babyish," and has stated that it would amount to an empty threat.
  • The opposition Senators have claimed that they have the support of the House of Representatives Speaker, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, in their bid to impeach the President.
  • The lawmakers are currently on a two-month vacation and will resume on September 20, after which they will have to face the 2023 appropriation bill.

Statistics:

  • The PDP has 37 Senators, APGA has 1, Labour has 1, NNPP has 3, YPP has 2, totaling 43 Senators in the opposition.
  • The APC has a two-third majority in the Senate, which means it would require the support of at least 52 Senators to impeach the President.
  • The President has barely 10 months to end his second term of office.
  • The ultimatum issued by the opposition Senators gives the President 6 weeks to address the insecurity in Nigeria.
  • The Senate President has been accused of breaching legislative rules by ruling out the motion on insecurity.

Sources:

  • Daily Post
  • "Impeachment plot against President Buhari: Senate minority caucus leader, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, assures Senators" (July 28, 2022)
  • "Impeachment plot: We have the required number of lawmakers to effect the impeachment, say opposition lawmakers" (July 29, 2022)
  • "Impeachment plot: APC Senators, you're advised to learn from our walkout, says Senator Aduda" (July 30, 2022)
  • "Impeachment plot: Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, distances self from impeachment plot" (August 1, 2022)