BEVERLY HILLS, May 07, (THEWILL) – The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures has lampooned Nigeria’s powerful state governors over the gale of orchestrated impeachment of Speakers of various State Houses of Assembly, warning that the impunity of the governors portends a serious threat to the nation’s democracy.
In a statement Thursday in Abuja, the Chairman of Conference and Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Sam Ikon, said: “The Conference observed with dismay the unhealthy trend of flagrant disrespect for constitutionally laid down procedure to remove a Speaker and principal officers of State Assemblies in the country.
“The Conference is not unaware of the impeachment as guaranteed by the Constitution to guard against abuse of power and tyrannical tendencies. The Conference however condemns in a strong term a complete deviation from the constitutional procedure to remove a Speaker or any principal officer as have been embarked upon by some State Assemblies.
“Most recently, some states such as Adamawa and Enugu State Houses of Assembly have been in the news, where purported impeachments of their Speakers were reportedly carried out in ways and manners that were contrary to the constitutional provisions.
“We regard such purported impeachments as a nullity as their procedures were short of due process. The ugly developments have already resulted in factions in those state assemblies and will consequently have adverse effects on governance in such states.”
The Conference also condemned “such unconstitutional removal of Speakers” and warned the governors fanning the embers of such illegality to “respect the rule of law” for the country not to be thrown into anarchy.
“We also condemn a situation whereby personal interests are promoted over and above institutional interests. State House of Assembly, as an arm of government, should be seen as such and no individual interest should be placed above it.
“We therefore call on the stakeholders, particularly the lawmakers, to play the game by its rules in order to ensure political stability and good governance in the interest of all,” the Conference stated.
