Senate warns Charles Oputa-led anti-Buhari protesters to stop heating up polity, as pro-Buhari rally takes over Abuja

“We, in the National Assembly, are satisfied that there is no vacuum. The Federal Government is working. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is providing the required leadership. So, there is no reason for the protests. All Nigerians now should focus on praying for the safe return of the President. We in the Senate are happy about the report by the governors and party leaders, who recently visited President Buhari in London and we know he will soon return to continue to provide leadership to our people and the rest of Africa. We therefore call on the protesters to stop all these demonstrations and let their sense of patriotism overshadow the zeal for activism by joining other Nigerians to pray for the president.”

Many youths on Thursday hit the streets of Abuja and marched to Unity Fountain to denounce Charlie Boy’s group which has been calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to return or resign.

The placard carrying pro-Buhari protesters kicked against what they described as rent a group which is trying to undermine the peace in Nigeria.

They say that those anti-Buhari protesters were agents of corruption and had no reasons to clamour for Buhari’s return because there is no vacuum in governance.

A group, “OurMuMuDonDo’’, led by Mr Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, on Monday began an indefinite sit-out at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, demanding Buhari’s resumption of work or resignation.

The Senate has also denounced the protest.

“While we are opposed to the subject of the protest, the Senate acknowledges that the protesters have the constitutional right to gather and express their views in a manner that will not breach public peace and order.’’

The Senate had said on Tuesday that President Buhari had not violated any law by not returning from medical vacation after 90 days.

The spokesman of the senate, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, in Abuja urged the protesters to stop heating up the polity, saying that it was creating unnecessary tension in the country.

The upper chamber said that the protest was an attempt to divert the attention of the Presidency from the economic and security issues, which were already being tackled.

It explained that Buhari had complied with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulated that he must handover to the Vice President and duly inform the two chambers of the legislature about his medical vacation.

“The president has broken no law and therefore we do not see any justification for this diversion and noise-making.

“The sponsors are merely seeking cheap publicity at the expense of the peace of Nigeria.

“We, in the National Assembly, are satisfied that there is no vacuum. The Federal Government is working.

“Acting President Yemi Osinbajo is providing the required leadership. So, there is no reason for the protests.

“All Nigerians now should focus on praying for the safe return of the President.

“We in the Senate are happy about the report by the governors and party leaders, who recently visited President Buhari in London and we know he will soon return to continue to provide leadership to our people and the rest of Africa.

“We therefore call on the protesters to stop all these demonstrations and let their sense of patriotism overshadow the zeal for activism by joining other Nigerians to pray for the president.

“We should also pray for the acting president and Nigeria as a country at this critical period,” it stated.