The move to impeach Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Murtala Nyako, took a
dramatic turn on Sunday as the governor declared Monday and Tuesday as
work-free days in the state.
The governor’s opponents in the state House of Assembly said Nyako’s
action was an attempt to frustrate his impeachment.
The governor was said to have played a fast one on his opponents
following indications that the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose
Mammadi, might inaugurate on Monday (today) the seven-member panel he set up on
Friday to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the
governor and his deputy, James Ngilari.
The lawmakers accused Nyako of mischief, vowing that the governor and
his deputy could not stop the state acting chief judge.
A statement on Sunday by Nyako’s Chief of Staff, A. Abba, stated, “His
Excellency, Governor Murtala Nyako, has approved Monday, July 7 and Tuesday,
July 8 as work-free days in Adamawa State.
“This is to enable the people of the state to reflect on the current
happenings in the country and to use the period to offer special prayers for
peace in the state and the country.
“The period is to also allow Adamawa workers reflect on their current
challenges. It is also a thanksgiving period for the citizens to appreciate
God’s protection despite all challenges.”
But the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Adamu Kamale, told one
of our correspondents on the phone that the governor was merely ‘mischievous’
by declaring the public holidays.
Kamale said, “The issue now is not before the House. There may be
mischief to this in whichever way you look at it. But, already, the (acting)
Chief Judge has set up the seven-man panel to investigate the governor and his
deputy and there is no way they can block the CJ.
“In addition, praying to God is supposed to be a daily affair as most of
our religions are practising it. For two days to be set aside as praying days,
well I don’t know his intention. I will have to read the statement, probably I
can pick something from it.”
The governor however alleged that the acting chief judge had set up the
seven-man committee under duress.
Speaking through his Director of Press and Media, Ahmad Sajoh, in a
telephone interview from Yola, the governor said that the promoters of the
impeachment move were not law-abiding.
“The Acting Chief Judge constituted the panel under duress. If not, how
can the same judge who gave a ruling that there was no substituted service, the
same judge that gave an order that the process be stopped; be the same judge
that set up this panel when he is yet to vacate his earlier order? You know
that is not possible,” Sajoh said.
According to him, the governor is heading a law-abiding government who
still holds the judiciary in high esteem and he is prepared to submit himself
to the judicial process.
Sajoh, however, expressed concern that it had become obvious that
promoters of the impeachment plot were determined not to obey the courts
because by their actions, they have so far demonstrated a disdain for the
judiciary.
But Kamale said there was nothing unusual about the development.
He explained that the House was carrying out its functions in line with
laid down constitutional procedures in such matters.
Kamale said that members of the House were determined to follow through
with the process.
“We have been following what the constitution says. Since we began this
process, we have never had any talks with any individual or group; we have been
following the process as prescribed by the constitution. We are on course,” he
said.
Meanwhile, the governor and the Ahmadu Fintiri-led State House of
Assembly are set to return to court over the propriety or otherwise of the
moves by the legislators to impeach Nyako and Ngilari.
It was learnt in Abuja, on Sunday, that a
Lagos-based lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), had been approached by Nyako and his
supporters to handle the governor’s case.
The House leadership, which is said to enjoy the support of powerful
political interests in Abuja, is also shopping for a prominent lawyer to
counter Falana.
Our correspondents also learnt that the top hierarchy of the opposition
All Progressives Congress had also intervened in the matter.
It is still unclear what exactly the APC leaders are doing but it was
learnt that they were determined to ensure that Nyako did not go down without a
fight.
The National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who
confirmed the intervention of party leaders, said what the party was doing was not
meant for the pages of newspapers.
However, it was earnt on
Sunday that the soldiers deployed in the residence of the Acting Chief Judge
were still keeping vigil over the property.
A source who pleaded anonymity for fear of retribution said, “The issue
we are dealing with has gone beyond local politics. You know the Chief of
Defence Staff, who is from this state, and the National Security Adviser has
become involved.”
It was also learnt that leading members of the ruling Peoples Democratic
Party from the state, including a former national chairman of the party, Alhaji
Bamanga Tukur; former Political Adviser to the President, Ahmed Gulak; and
Senator Jibril Aminu met in Abuja on Saturday night to devise a counter
strategy to whatever the APC had been preparing to save the governor.
The members of the panel to probe the governor, as announced by the
acting CJ, are Buba Kaimaga (Chairman), Laraba Hassan, Njidda Kito, Joshua Abu,
Binanu Esthon, Sa’ad Lawan, Mayo-Belwa, and Esthon Gapsiso.