EFFORTS by senators of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to convince the Senate to summon President Muhammadu Buhari to give reasons for the ongoing fuel scarcity in the country, were frustrated, yesterday, by their counterparts in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The PDP senators, who berated the President’s handling of current economic situation in the country, insisted that he be made to a appear before the Senate to give explanations on the cause of the fuel scarcity and how he intended to solve the issue as Minister of Petroleum.

Their frustrated efforts came following a motion, tagged: “The current fuel scarcity all around the country and the need to urgently resolve the crisis,” sponsored by Senator Jibrin Barau, APC, Kano North and 23 other senators, which was debated upon.

Speaking through Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, PDP, Abia South, the opposition senators accused the President of mismanaging the country’s oil sector, causing untold hardship for Nigerians, barely six months after being in the saddle as president.

But the Senate, in a reaction to the development, said the President could not be summoned even as Minister of Petroleum.

The red chamber, reacting through its chairman on Media and Publicity, Aliyu Sabi, insisted that the fact that the President was overseeing the Petroleum ministry as a substantive minister, did not make him to be easily summoned like other ministers.

Abaribe had, while contributing to the motion, urged the Senate to summon President Buhari to explain why the Federal Government was yet to find solutions to the continued fuel problem in spite of its claim that the refineries in the country were working.

He said the unnecessary hardship occasioned by the scarcity could only be resolved if lawmakers were adequately briefed on the true state of affairs. Senator Abaribe‘s submission received wide support from other PDP senators, as they all hailed him.

Senator Abaribe supported his call with a prayer for adoption but it was defeated when the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, put it up for a voice vote.

At this point, the APC Senators, who were more in number, defeated their PDP colleagues with overwhelming shout of “yes” against the PDP’s “nay.”

President cannot be summoned —Senate
Earlier, in his motion, Senator Barau regretted that Nigerians were going through untold hardship following the lingering fuel problem.

“We are worried that the scarcity is creating an untold hardship to our citizens who have to pay higher prices for these products especially petrol. We are convinced that the current situation is not in tune with the desire of the progressively inclined government to bring succour to Nigerians in all spheres of their lives,” Senator Jibrin noted.

But at a briefing after the plenary session, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Aliyu Sabi, explained why President Buhari could not be summoned by the Senate.

He said as the Commander-in-Chief, it was wrong to invite him to appear before the Senate, despite the fact that he was the Minister of Petroleum.


Read more from RAW GLOBAL NEWS via http://www.rawglobalnews.com/democracy-focus/apc-senators-frustrate-move-to-summon-buhari-over-fuel-scarcity/

u never start

One Chance government.
I pray we survive this. I still can't fathom what they were thinking when thumbing for this man .

It didn't just end with the voice vote... They went on twitter to seek for audience...

I never supported Buhari's move on his self appointment as the MOP... This is solely the main reason the country's suffering over fuel scarcity because nobody can stand up to Buhari and talk to him as a minister without having a feeling that they're talkin to the president as well...

This administration is doomed!

Truth be told, our president did not saddle the mantle of leadership of the petroleum sector to bring about the changes there. To him, the oil sector is a gold mine and someone has to be there to regulate the missing of 'our money'. It's quite unfortunate that this present administration is comfortable with running the country with what they call round peg in a square hole.
For those who expect changes should put on a shade because the future is bright.

So is mr president above to b summon so that the masses /citizens that voted for him to ease their pains will know why they are suffering at his first quarter of him administration. The APC senators are indirectly let us to believe that, between mr president and citizens they will chose one person. What a shame! Any elected person that are not considering the masses first, when making vital decisions will live to regret his life. Amen

Its bad enough the govt is just keeping quiet on this fuel issue without addressing the citizens.

hmmm

.

...for a country who's petroleums minister is an illiterate, I say we haven't seen nothing yet!

Demdem:
Excellent development.
U will only have ur say but never ur way in this dispensation. Deal with it.

Haaaa!!!!


Seriously I don't know what they are thinking they should deal with it for the next four years right?


where in a Democracy we the people can't have our way right?


Don't worry Demdem, mark my words APC politicians will be stoned in this dispensation.