Politics
A former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso have faulted the move by minority members of the Benue State House of Assembly to impeach Governor Samuel Ortom.
Others who condemned the action by eight out of the 30 members are Senators Ben Murray-Bruce and Shehu Sani.
Mark, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday night by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, described the impeachment move as null and void, stating that it was an exercise in futility.
The lawmaker said, “It is unconstitutional and devoid of any known legislative practices and procedures. I will advise members of the Benue State House of Assembly to be guided by the Constitution and legislative rules and procedures. They should not engage in any act that can undermine the established tenet of democracy.
“The action of some members of Benue State House of Assembly violates Section 188(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires that a notice of impeachment has to be supported by at least one-third of the members of the House to be valid. This is obviously not the case here.
“What is expected of the lawmakers is a collaborative effort with executive arm of state government to provide the needed dividend of democracy to the people of Benue State. They should remember that the interest and welfare of the people of Benue State is paramount. Anything less would be a disservice to the people they swore to serve.”
Kwankwaso on Tuesday expressed concern over the development through his Twitter handle, @KwankwasoRM.
“I am deeply concerned with the political situation in Benue State. It is high time we upheld and follow the rule of law,” he tweeted.
Murray-Bruce, on his Twitter handle, @benmurraybruce, condemned the impeachment process and the move by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to investigate Ortom over alleged fraud few days after the governor defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. – Punch
Jul. 31, 2018 @ 18:29 GMT |
Tags: Kwankwaso Mark senators condemn plot to impeach Ortom
