By
George Kushi
For the avoidance of all doubts need to clarify issues it has become necessary to shed light on this worrisome issue that Yohanna Mathias raised about the recent suspension of some members of the Adamawa state House of Assembly.
First and foremost is the fact that His Excellency Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri is not a member of the state House of Assembly and therefore has no say
(vote) in the proceedings in the House. It is therefore preposterous that he be made the central figure in what
absolutely is a legislative affair.
Furthermore, it is not in the nature of Ahmadu Fintiri to barge into affairs that do not best on the exercise of his executive powers, a fact that his critics can attest to going by the records of his stewardship in the past three years.
This accusation coming at this hour smirks of a desperate attempt by a drowning opposition under the guise of movement or group grasping out at a straw in the hope of saving its life. However,all discerning people in Adamawa state know it as a fact that Fintiri has kept a respectable distance from the House of Assembly and has at no time shut it down since he assumed office. In fact, His Excellency has not tried to coerce or bully the House talk less of handling the suspension or removal of any of its members.
It will be recalled that the issues of either anti- party issues and decamping have been in our polity for long and members of the state Assembly are fully conversant with the procedures covering that aspect of their legislative duties. How they reached the decision to suspend some of their own is within the ambit of their legislative functions that do not requires the governor’s interference.
And His Excellency has shown respect for the rule of law by keeping a distinguished distance between himself and the legislative arm. It is therefore strange that those affected, that are lawmakers themselves could not prevail on their colleagues to stay such action against them. The jury system,considered as the best in jurisprudence is based on the principle that those in the same position and station in life can understand and reason with the accused and therefore judge the issue with all due considerations. In this case ,the three members were sanctioned by their peers,so what has the governor got to do with it?
It is rather strange that at this age and time such muddled accusations can be peddled as if the populace lacks the ability to discern and understand the basic elements of a democratic set up and the requirements of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. For the purpose of clarity,the constitution demands that an elected officer(a member) should declare his decision to move to another party on the floor of the House. This inplies that failure to do so can be sanctioned.
This must have been what prompted the assembly members to take the action they took.
To make a long story short,the decision to suspend the three members has nothing to do with His Excellency Ahmadu Fintiri and the executive arm of government as a whole. It is a legislative affair that is best left in that realm.
Apologist from the opposition should best search for something to hold unto. They should learn to recognize their shortcomings and stop trying to shower the causes of their failures on the people’s governor,Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
Kushi is a Press Secretary to the
Deputy Governor, Adamawa State.
