A leader of the movement for good governance, Hon Mathias Yohanna accused Rt Hon Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the executive Governor of Adamawa state run an unfortunate, undemocratic government with a scenario that is looming in the state with catastrophic consequences.
Yohanna in a press statement issued to Journalists in Yola said their eyes are keenly watching with interest the political development In the State since Fintiri took over the mantle of leadership
Mathias with a bleeding heart lamented how the Governor contrary to the principles of the rule of law and the separation of power have democratically usurped the powers of the state legislature for his personal interest.
He accused the Governor of closing the state House of Assembly at will and unconstitutionally declaring seat of elected Hon. Members vacant by military fiat.
“As citizens of Adamawa State the constitution of this country gives every citizen the fundamental right to express His/Her opinion on how we are governed by elected representative and to hold them responsible on matters of law to avoid being led by authoritarian or totalitarian despots in the pretense of running a democratic system.
“This unfortunate actions started with Hon. Joseph Ayuba Kwada in June 2022 Michika, and now Hon. Simon Isa member representing Song and Hon. Hamman Tukur Yettisuri member representing Jada respectively on the 19th October 2022. This undemocratic actions cannot be allowed to continue in a civilized democratic world.
” It may interest you to note that even Mr. President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot dare to sack a sitting member of the national assembly expect through the standing rules and procedures of the parliament.
“The seat of an elected member can only be declared vacant constitutionally if the Hon. Member fails to seat for less than 181 days in a year and that can only be pronounced by Mr. speaker of the House or if such member is involve in a criminal case and is sentence by a competent court of law, therefore gentlemen of the press we can say that this action of Gov. Fintiri is an unwarranted and undemocratic display of Jumbo justice in the name of democracy. It should be traced that Hon. Members can only be removed through Recall by the electorates as provided by the constitution and other electoral laws provided by our status books.
“We want to emphasis that no competent court of jurisdiction in Nigeria have ever declared a seat of an elected member vacant based on defection from one party to another.
“Gentlemen of the press we want the members of the public to know that as civil right defenders of our democracy we are already in the field, collecting signatures of our electorates towards approaching our courts against this undemocratic practice we are ever ready to fight and stop this cankerous despotism that is dangerously looming it ugly face in our body polity in the state.” Mathias said
