The Benue State Governor has just been served an impeachment notice by the State House of Assembly pursuant to section 188 of the 1999 Constitution. The Speaker has reeled out what they term ' gross misconduct against the governor, ostensibly to satisfy the requirements of section 188.
Impeachment is primarily a constitutional safeguard to check the excesses of the Executive. But in Nigeria, it is used mainly to settle political scores. It is the wand used as a last resort to annihilate an adverse executive, especially when a simmering beef has gotten to a head.
The pertinent questions are: exactly at what point did the House come to the realisation of gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds against the Gov. Ortom? Is it not curious that this is coming just after the Gov's defection?
Will Gov Ortom's name even feature prominently in the list of profligate governors in Nigeria? Where were these same guys when the Gov was frustrated and became helpless at the daily killings in Benue? This is not to hold brief for Gov Ortom but just to put issues in proper perspective.
We have always maintained that one of the greatest tragedy of Nigeria's democracy is the ingenuity of the actors to abuse same. We exercise the laws for the wrong reasons and throw overboard the bastion and safeguards of the constitution.
We are concerned and worried for Benue because history is about to repeat itself in a shameful hue. Again we are about to expose Nigeria to global ridicule.
To appreciate the Benue situation right now, historical materialism implores us to peep at the recent past. No impeachment in Nigeria so far has been altruistic as envisaged by the spirit and letters of the constitution.
Do we begin with then Joshua Dariye of Plateau State who was impeached in Jos after the panel of inquiry submitted its report to a 5 man House of Assembly with the firm support of the FG? Or was it Rashidi Ladoja who was removed by a minority camp in the House of Assembly that was loyal to the late Chief Adedibu of Molete? The impeachment of Peter Obi was no less dramatic and politically motivated.
But by far the most dramatic and absurd which left Nigerians aghast with hands akimbo was the impeachment of Ayodele Fayose ( before his second ascendance ). Fayose and his deputy Mrs. Olujimi were indicted and duly served the notice by the Ekiti House of Assembly. The Governor responded to the allegations. The Chief Judge was requested to constitute a panel of inquiry, which under 48 hours exonerated the Gov. Expectedly the House did not like that. The House in a most draconian display of legislative rascality removed the Chief Judge and appointed an acting Chief Judge who eventually constituted the panel that found the Gov guilty of the allegations. The House, in consequence, impeached Fayose and swore in the Speaker as the acting Gov. same day!
A recurrent decimal in all these impeachments is that the Houses of Assembly are always divided and the impeachment proceeding was always carried out by just a faction, with the others shut out. Nigeria is the only country where minority trumps on the majority in matters like this.
Benue lawmakers must not tow this ignominious path. Anything untoward in this impeachment move must be roundly condemned.
Comrade Frank Oseya Esq
Convener Action 2019
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