Shehu Sani, a former senator, has encouraged opposition MPs to concentrate on the general elections in 2023 rather than squandering time trying to remove President Muhammadu Buhari from office.

Although Mr. Sani is inclined to impeach the president due to the deteriorating security situation, he claimed that it is “technically impossible” to do so before the 2023 elections due to the complexity of the impeachment process under the 1999 Constitution.

The session, titled ‘Insecurity: Should President Muhammadu Buhari be impeached,’ also had in attendance, the founder of Enough is Enough (EiE), Yemi Adamolekun, the Director of Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chinwe Nnorom, and about 3,327 participants.

Impeachment threat: 

Last week, the minority caucus of the National Assembly resolved to give Mr Buhari six weeks to address the general insecurity in the country or risk impeachment.

The agitation started in the Red Chamber when some opposition senators staged a walkout of plenary after Senate President Ahmad Lawan blocked a motion on insecurity and a call for an impeachment notice to the president.

The PDP caucus in the House also joined in the six-week ultimatum after a meeting of the National Assembly PDP caucus.

The PDP is the largest opposition in both the Senate and the House of rep.

Read More: PDP Challenges TInubu To A One Hour Press Interview

Although the presidency described the impeachment threat as childish antics of the opposition, some senators of the ruling APC has back the impeachment. Elisha Abbo (APC, Adamawa) and Adamu Bulkachuwa (APC, Bauchi) have publicly endorsed the impeachment move.

Mr Sani, who was in the 8th Senate, said the main opposition party should focus on winning the general election rather than dissipating energy on the impeachment that has the potential to drag on till February 2023 when elections will be ongoing.

“At a time like this, what should be most important is how to dislodge the present political party. Any other thing can be a serious distraction,” Mr Sani, a former PDP governorship aspirant in Kaduna said.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu.

“The Chairman (Iyorcha Ayu) of the PDP was also a former Senate President. He knows the details and the issues in the National Assembly. I think the party should preoccupy itself with the strategy on how to win the election.

“Dissipating energy on the issue of impeachment can even affect the next election. If it is easier, I believe the president should be impeached today, and if there would be no consequences. If you go to the details, it would take months and with leadership like Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, who are already in sync with the government, it is going to be energy wasted.”

The Kaduna politician said his stance is based on his experience as a senator.