The Lawless Lawmakers of Nasarawa 09 Aug 2014 Font Size: a / A Canticles… I hear the trap set for Governor Tanko Al-Makura has been scattered. I hear the panel meant to investigate the allegations of 16 sins leveled against him, has discharged and acquitted him. I hear the noose therefore has been removed from his neck. I hear… (Cuts in) Enough of your,‘I hear, I hear’. You have not heard the whole story. Danger is not over yet. So stop celebrating your incomplete story. What part of the story is not complete? Let me remind you: the Nasarawa lawmakers got angry with their governor, accused him of 16 impeachable offences. They served the governor the notice of impeachment. And went ahead to order the chief judge of the state to constitute a panel of enquiry to investigate the charges against the governor. The Chief Judge of the state did. The panel sat and invited the lawmakers to prove their allegations against the governor. But the lawmakers refused to show up at the panel. They even refused to prepare the rules of procedure for the panel. They were given another chance, and they still refused to show up, instead sent their lawyers to go and protest at the panel. In the absence of any proof of offence, the panel then threw out the case against the governor and said Al-Makura can carry on as the Governor of the state. So what part of the story is not complete? You have told only one side of the story. Have you explained why the lawmakers refused to honour the invitation of the panel? Is there any constitutional provision for the lawmakers to protest the composition of the panel? Is there any constitutional provision for them to boycott the panel they asked to be set up? Did they want to also be the ones to constitute the panel themselves? You don’t understand. The constitution says the people to be appointed should have integrity and…. (cuts in) And what? Who says members of the panel do not have integrity? Has any of them been convicted for armed robbery or fraud before? Who are the lawmakers to judge who has integrity or not? Are they the court of law? The butterfly thinks itself a bird (hiss) Let me finish. The constitution states clearly that members of such a panel must not be card-carrying members of any political party, nor should they be civil servants. But some of three members of the panel are both PDP members and a serving civil servant. So what are we talking about? Did the state judge not contravene the law by appointing inappropriate persons for the panel? Mr Constitution, do you have evidence that some of the members of the panel are PDP members? Do you know that the fact that they may have voted for the PDP in previous elections does not mean they are PDP members? In any case, if it is true, does it not make it easier? PDP lawmakers want an APC governor impeached. And PDP members are enthroned to judge the APC ‘villain” so why the kick? Can’t you see that the lawmakers are just being mischievous? Be fair. It is far from mischief. If the premise is wrong, then certainly the conclusion will also be wrong. If the Chief Judge refuses to appoint the right people, then such a panel cannot be trusted to do what is right. Indeed! As far as you are concerned, what is right is getting members of the panel straight from the presidency, a team that will mindlessly finish Al-Makura with the speed of a hot knife on a butter bulk. And because that was not achieved, then you begin to whine in frustration. That is not true. Do not drag the presidency into this. It is purely a Nasarawa affair. You think we are all political neophytes? Did you not read the statement of the PDP leadership saying Al-Makura should be impeached? Didn’t you? Yes, even if PDP leadership said so, does that mean the presidency? What is the difference? Are the two not six, and half-a-dozen? Or didn’t you also remember that the Presidency had secretly met with some leaders of the Nasarawa Assembly when the impeachment fire was just being stoked? Do you think it was tea they went to drink in Aso Rock? Look, what the Nasarawa lawmakers are saying is that the whole gamut of the constitution should be followed. The process of getting the governor impeached must not be circumscribed by any emotion or interest. If the whole process is followed, and the panel; finds the governor innocent of the charges, then he can really have his office and peace, otherwise, Lafia will not know peace. Let me tell you, the lawmakers are desperate to get Al-Makura out and so nothing else but getting him out will be deemed appropriate, no matter by what means. Let me remind you of the statement of Hon Baba Ibaku, the House Committee Chairman on Information. Last Tuesday, he declared when asked what next for the lawmakers, that, “as far as we are concerned, he (Al-makura) has been impeached, but until we get there…” That means in their minds, Al-Makura is gone. But thankfully, their minds is not the law. They have rejected the report from the panel and insist they will impeach the governor. On what basis will they do that now? Can you imagine that constitutional affront? So you can see how lawless these Nasarawa lawmakers are. Is it not the height of irony that elected lawmakers are the same ones who will desperately violate the provisions of the law? They have chosen a course of action, they should have the courage to live with the consequences thereof. Look, I am not going to stand here arguing with you on this. A platoon of seasoned lawyers is being assembled to challenge this constitutional malfeasance. Look at pot calling kettle black. Never mind, we shall meet at Philipi.
Posted on: Sat, 09 Aug 2014 02:53:43 +0000
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