There are strong indications that supporters of President Muhammadu Buhari in the Senate , under the aegis of Parliamentary Support Group , have concluded plans to challenge the suspension of one of their members, Senator Ovie Omo - Agege , and ensuring a reversal of the suspension .
The move to vacate the suspension , one of our correspondents learnt , would begin with a point of order to be made by one of the group ’ s members.
SUNDAY PUNCH gathered on that as part of the group ’ s plans to fight back , the PSG , at the plenary on Tuesday, would also challenge the ban on the activities of the group by the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
A prominent member of the group , who spoke on condition of anonymity , told SUNDAY PUNCH on Saturday that the action would have been taken last Tuesday but for the invasion of the Senate by some thugs .
The source denied a rumour that the invasion was part of the plot to remove Senate President Bukola Saraki.
The lawmaker stated that the group held an extensive meeting last Monday somewhere in Abuja and resolved to move a point of order , rejecting the ban, and Omo - Agege ’ s suspension , the following
(Tuesday).
The Senator, who is from the South - West geopolitical zone of the country , also said the group had resolved to stand by the embattled Omo - Agege but condemned the invasion of the chamber and the theft of the Senate mace.
He added , “Our meeting last Monday was aimed at maintaining a united position on the ban of our group and to give necessary support to Senator Omo - Agege , who was suspended the Senate for 90 legislative days.
“ Our position is that his suspension is illegal because the Senate does not have such powers because of certain legal technicalities . We were , however, surprised when some people followed Omo - Agege to the chamber and stole the mace.
“Our intention was not to remove Saraki or change the Senate leadership because we don’ t have the figure . The Senate President still enjoys the support of the Peoples Democratic Party members and they are very loyal to him.
“ We have also discovered that many of our members in the PSG are there because of re -election . They know that they have to identify with Buhari in their states in order to guarantee their return.
“ Some of them are Saraki’ s friends and they will never be part of any plan to remove him . There will be a point of order on Tuesday at plenary to formally reject the purported ban of our group and the suspension of Omo - Agege .”
‘ Omo - Agege ’ s suspension won ’ t stand’
Also , another senator from the North- East , who is a member of the group, corroborated the submissions of his colleague.
He said , “ We will resist any attempt by the Senate leadership to ban the PSG and we will also ensure that the suspension of Omo - Agege does not stand . He is free to enter the chamber and nobody has the right to stop him.
“ We won’t move against the leadership of the Senate because such action could affect the government of President Muhammadu Buhari . What we have also resolved to do is to constantly support the President ’ s programmes and policies.”
The Vice - Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs , Senator Ben Murray- Bruce, told the newspaper on Friday that the sergeants - at - arm and security personnel had been ordered to block the lawmaker from entering the chamber.
When reminded that Omo -Agege was at the chamber for Wednesday’ s plenary , Murray-Bruce had said the lawmaker was prevented from entering the chamber but the embattled lawmaker allegedly forced his way in.
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