Saraki, Dogara decry ‘desecration of legislative sanctity’ in Benue
House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara have described as "a
desecration of the legislative sanctity", the on-going situation in
Benue State in which eight out of the 30 members of the State House of
Assembly, with the support of the police, have commenced impeachment
process against Governor Samuel Ortom while 22 other members are kept
away from the Assembly complex.
In a statement jointly signed by their media aides, Saraki and Dogara
also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the police to order
and stop being used to achieve "selfish political objectives."
The National Assembly presiding officers said, "We have monitored
closely the development in Benue State in which the impeached Speaker,
Terkimbir Ikyange led seven other members to serve impeachment notice
on Gov. Samuel Ortom while the 22 other members who constitute more
than two-third majority have been prevented from having access to the
chamber.
"We believe this is illegality and does not conform to parliamentary
procedure on impeachment.
"We also note with surprise the role of the Police in this
undemocratic events in which the minority is seeking to impeach a
Governor against the position of the majority. We believe it is the
sacred institution of the legislature that is being desecrated and
rubbished in all these negative developments."
Saraki and Dogara said also noted that the crisis in Benue State House
of Assembly has grave implication for the nation's democracy and
represents a throw-back to the period of dictatorship in Nigeria,
showing how the Nigeria Police are being misused to achieve political
end.
The statement noted with dismay, a recent statement in which the
Presidency derisively referred to an era in the past where a minority
number of legislators was used to impeach Governors who were
unfriendly with the Federal Government.
"What we are seeing in Benue now is a return to that inglorious era,"
the statement said.
It added that the "unlawful and unconstitutional move to impeach
Governor Samuel Ortom by a minority" should be condemned by all lovers
of democracy, at home and abroad.
Saraki and Dogara called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the
police to order and prevent a break-down of law and order.
They also called on friends of Nigeria in the international community
to lend their voice against the perpetration of illegalities and
actions that can subvert the country's democracy.
They equally noted that there is already a tense atmosphere in Benue
State following the recent killings, and therefore condemned any
action or move likely to exacerbate the security situation in the
North Central State.
"As leaders of the Federal legislature, we are ready to work with our
colleagues in both chambers of the National Assembly to prevent any
attempt to destroy any state legislature or use it to derail
democracy," Saraki and Dogara submitted.
No comments
Post a Comment