Rep Warns FG- 'Removing Jega Will Stir up Violence'
The House of Representatives on Tuesday warned the Federal Government against
tampering with the existing “arrangements” for the March 28 elections,
particularly the removal of the Chairman, Independent National Electoral
Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega.
The House noted that changing the election plans either by further extending
the dates or removing Jega would only lead to a magnitude of violence, worse
than what was witnessed after the 2011 polls.
In a resolution in Abuja, the House drew the attention of the political class,
the Federal Government, state governments and security agencies to warnings of
unavoidable violence already issued by eminent Nigerians and groups, both on
the international and local scenes.
The resolution was taken following a motion moved by the Chairman, House
Committee on Justice, Ali Ahmad.
The development came as the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, at a separate
session, raised the alarm that the dark days of military coups might return if
the country continued to progress in error.
During Tuesday’s plenary, lawmakers also warned that “persons” whose actions
would have led to such violence must be held accountable at all judicial
levels.
Part of their resolution read, “Hold personally accountable at domestic
judicial forum or at the International Court of Justice, any persons or
organisations that foist on INEC any decision or action whatsoever, including
unconstitutional attempt to remove the current INEC chairman, that has the
effect of making it impracticable for elections to hold on 28th March and 11th
April, 2015.”
Besides, members made it clear that removing the INEC chairman would be
unconstitutional except if it secured the approval of two-thirds of the
Senate, as prescribed in Section. 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
“Such removal can only be achieved when two things happen, viz, (a) his
inability to discharge the functions of the office, or (b) for misconduct, as
determined by two-thirds of the Senate,” the resolution added.
The Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House made spirited attempts to
stop the motion but failed.
The House Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, had raised an objection on the
grounds that the motion was “speculative” as there was no evidence suggesting
that Jega was about to be removed.
“Nobody is interested in removing Jega; so, we can’t entertain such a
speculative motion,” Ogor protested.
But, he was overruled by Tambuwal and the motion was passed in a majority
voice vote.
The Speaker also did not allow members to debate the motion, a move that
earned him murmurs from some PDP lawmakers.
Meanwhile, Tambuwal, while speaking at a meeting with a coalition of civil
society groups, Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, observed that the
“signs” of a possible return to dark days in Nigeria were everywhere for all
to see.
He stated that apart from alleged plans to use Civil Service rules to force
Jega out of office, the suggestion of an interim government by some groups was
“treasonable.”
The speaker said, “Any form of government outside our constitution is a coup.
Why are the security agencies not charging such persons with treasonable
felony?
“Some individuals are bent on ensuring that the elections do not hold or in
the alternative, create scenarios that will make the conduct of the polls
impossible for INEC.
The speaker, who said “power belongs to God” and Him alone decides whom to
give, advised the political class against attempting to oppose God and the
will of the people.
He spoke further, “Some individuals are not interested in a free and fair
process of elections.
“You should remember that people voted you into power; if the same people are
saying go and rest through a free and fair process, then respect their
decision.
“Some persons occupied these offices before we came in. What would have
happened if they refused to vacate the offices for us?
“Not up to 10 per cent of Nigerians are politicians; what happens to the
remaining 90 per cent ? In any case, there has to be a country to govern.
“Are we as a nation ordinarily supposed to be where they are today?”
The CSO representatives , who were led by Clement Nwankwo, had
earlier raised fears over what they considered to be troubling signs of a
possible interference with the democratic process in the country.
They said that a similar meeting would be held with the President of the
Senate, David Mark, and a final round with President Goodluck Jonathan to harp
on the dangers of frustrating the democratic processes.
Source:
Punch
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