APC, PDP senators clash over alleged human rights abuse by Buhari’s administration 

Senators elected on the platforms of the All Progressive Congress and Peoples Democratic Party on Wednesday clashed over a motion on the alarming rise in cases of alleged human rights violations and consistent assault on the provisions of the 1999 Constitution by the Executive.
This was even as the Senate summoned the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,  Abubakar Malami, to appear before plenary and explain the constitutional basis for the controversial Executive order No. 066 and other Executive orders which have been issued by President Muhammadu Buhari in clear usurpation of the law making function of the National Assembly.
Trouble started when Senator David Umar (APC) started the debate on the motion as the Deputy Leader of the Senate,  Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC), informed the Senate that the matter included in the motion is still in court and as a leader of the Senate, he needed to guide the lawmakers properly on that motion.
But the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu (PDP), ruled the Deputy Leader out of order, saying the matter is majorly on abuse of human rights in the country.
Supporting the motion, Senator Shehu Sani (APC) said it clearly narrates state of affairs in the country, adding that 19 years after the country returned to democracy, “we are still asking people at the position of power to comply with rule of law”.
Sani added that the country is heading towards dictatorship.
However, Senator Jubril Barau interjected Sani, saying the lawmaker should mind his language.
But Ekweremadu ruled Barau out of order, saying Sani is yet to breach any rule of the Senate with his contribution on the motion.
Sani, continued in his contributions, saying: “We are sliding into tyranny, autocracy or even totalitarianism.
“We must respect and value democracy and conform to certain standards.
“We are very concerned with the issues raised in this motion.
“When we are out of this office, we must remember that our only shield will be these laws.
“There is no better way to fight corruption than to use the instrumentality of the law and make sure the common man is not haunted.”
But Barau, while speaking against the motion, said the issues raised in the motion are still before the court of law and speaking on the matter in the Senate is subjudice.
He warned that Senators should be conscious of the current political climate in the country so as not to heat up the polity.
He said: “Let us try as much as possible to put politics aside.
“We have to put our heads together to face these challenges.
“We are all politicians.
“We know our stands on issues in this chamber.
“Let us not over heat the polity in the country.
“The matter is already in court.
“Are we trying to influence what is happening in Court?
“We don’t need to discus this issue here.
“It is like we undermining our democracy.
“We should put this motion on hold because it will not be good for our democracy.”
Also kicking against the motion, Senator Abdullahi Yahaya said the motion is an attempt to discredit this administration, adding that Senate should not be arena of political battle.
According to Yahaya: “I don’t think this Senate should be arena of political battle.
“The motion is an attempt to discredit this administration.
“The sponsor of the motion brought the matter up because of his political interest.”
However, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP) said: “I fully align myself with all Senator Shehu Sani said.
“I have been a victim of Human Rights violation.
“The point is we should all be able to exercise all our fundamental human rights freely.
“Those who held power yesterday are giving account today and so will we.
“No one is safe at this point.”