Tucano Helicopters: Senators Move For Buhari’s Impeachment

Nigerian Senators During a Plenary Session

Some Nigerian Senators have called for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari for not seeking National Assembly’s approval before withdrawing $496million used for the purchase of aircraft from the United States.

Buhari’s action contravenes the Section 143 of the Nigerian constitution which provides for the removal of the president from office

President Buhari had written the National Assembly on Thursday on the inclusion of N151.3bn on purchase of Super Tucano Aircraft from the US government.

Copy of the letter by President Muhammadu Buhari

The letter had read “Executive Communication. The Request of Mr. President on the inclusion of USD 496, 374, 470 (equivalent of N151, 394, 494, 335. 00) only in the year 2018 Appropriation Bill for the purchase of Super Tucano Aircraft from the US Government by Senate Leader”

https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/989445325789319168?s=19

Moving a motion on the issue on Thursday, Matthew Uroghide, Edo State, said President Buhari’s move was a violation of the constitution and thus, he should face the consequences.

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He prayed the Senate to invoke Section 143 to start the impeachment process of the president.

https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/989449555459665923?s=19

Seconding the motion, Senator Chukwuka Utazi spoke in support of the move.

“This Tucano helicopters are to be brought in 2020, why include it now in appropriation. This is an impeachable offence” Senator Utazi, has said.

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Katsina State Senator, Shehu Sani had said it is gross violation of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

https://twitter.com/NGRSenate/status/989455438587617280?s=19

President Buhari had said he gave approval for the withdrawal of the fund because he believed the National Assembly would have no objection to his action.

His explanation was conveyed in a letter read at the Senate on Wednesday. A copy of the letter had earlier been sent to the House of Representatives.

President Muhammadu Buhari

However, President Buhari had explained the processes that led to the approval.

“I wish to draw the attention of the Senate to the ongoing security emergencies in the nation. These challenges were discussed with the state governors and subsequently at the meeting ot the National Economic Council on the 14th of December 2017 where a resolution was passed with the council approving that up to $1 billion may be released and utilised from the Excess Crude Account to address the situation.”

More senators are currently speaking on the issue in plenary.

More to follow…