Some lawmakers in the Nigerian Senate have called for the impeachment of President Muhammadu Buhari over the ‘illegal’ withdrawal of $496 million from the Excess Crude Account for the purchase of fighter jets.
President Buhari had paid for the jets for the purpose of fighting insurgency before writing to the National Assembly of his intention. A move, Senators who spoke, largely condemned.
Speaking at plenary on Thursday, April 26, 2018, Senator Matthew Uroghide urged the Senate to invoke Section 143 of the Constitution against President Buhari over his action.
Uroghide maintained that the President had breached Section 80 of the Constitution which stipulates that all government’s spending must be appropriated by the legislature.
“There are serious consequences for violation of our constitution,” he said. “As a consequence, the only thing we can draw from on this is that we call on you, Mr President, to invoke section 143 of the constitution. Because, what it means is that this matter is not to be investigated. It is clear that this offence has been committed by Mr President.
“I want this senate to resolve that what the president did is procedurally wrong and a violation of our constitution, it must be condemned and of course, the consequences of section 143 of our constitution should be invoked. I so move Mr President,” Uroghide added.
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