All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders yesterday began moves to avert the impeachment threat against President Muhammadu Buhari by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) federal legislators over the worsening insecurity.

It was also learnt that the impeachment plot by the opposition senators and House of Representatives members was part of a bigger agenda to outsmart APC in 2023 poll.

The PDP lawmakers have issued a six-week ultimatum to the president to resolve the security challenge or face impeachment.

But some senators from APC and PDP have fixed a meeting for Sunday on what to do if there is no improvement in the nation’s security within six weeks.

He said: “This is election season. The PDP senators are whipping up sentiments. They want to de-market our party and the Buhari administration.

“It is not desirable that PDP senators should politicise security. Security is a collective responsibility. The opposition in parliament should contribute useful suggestions, and not to start playing to the gallery.”

Yesterday, African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Dumebi Kachikwu described the impeachment threat as self-serving.

Sources said APC leaders were shocked that PDP senators allegedly went overboard on the decision of the Executive Session of the Senate.

They were also angry that PDP senators sold a dummy to the public that the “opposition is in control of the two chambers of the National Assembly.”

It was gathered that APC leaders took preliminary stock of the situation and decided to halt further moves to embarrass the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of our leaders have met in Abuja. We are ready to nip the so-called threat in the bud. It is a fluke because it was the stock in trade of PDP when it was in power.

“We have made up our minds that we won’t allow PDP to ambush our administration. We know that they do not have the numbers, but they can make disturbing noise.

“I know that before the end of the recess of the National Assembly, the threat will be over.”

The source gave insights into what transpired on Wednesday in the Senate.

He said: “The PDP Senators derailed from the consensus reached at the Senate Executive Session because of sheer politics.

“Senators Gabriel Suswam and Opeyemi Bamidele foresaw the development when they cautioned their colleagues.

“But they did not listen because they have their agenda cut out for them by some forces in their party. We know those behind the impeachment threat.

“It was all politics by PDP to present a false narrative to Nigerians ahead of 2023 poll.

“Was PDP not in power when insurgency became the order of the day? What did they do?

“By the time Nigerians see the factsheet, they will know that this administration is really addressing the nation’s security challenges.”

It was gathered that some aggrieved APC senators, who lost return tickets, tacitly supported the move by their PDP colleagues to embarrass the president.

Another source, however, said one of the steps being initiated by APC leaders was to address their grievances.

The source listed the issues as follows:

*Slowness in addressing the aftermath of party primaries

*Absence of regular caucus meeting

*Lack of regular consultation with lawmakers by the President as expected in a democracy

*Lack of constant interaction with party leadership

*Poor communication with the lawmakers and Nigerians on the fight against insurgency, banditry and killing of troops.

*Lack of inclusiveness.