APC Urges Jonathan To Be Democratic; Demands IGP To Restore Tambuwal Securities

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News, Politics Thursday, October 30th, 2014

From Ganiyu Nasirudeen

The All Progressives Congress has reacted to Wednesday “unlawful” Police withdrawal of security details to the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, by calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to show better understanding of democracy and Acting IGP, Suleimon Abba to immediately restore the number four citizen security men.

In a statement issued in Abuja Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party described the withdrawal by Acting IGP as a usurpation of the role of the Judiciary by him, especially with regards to the interpretation of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution on which Abba anchored his “illegal act” which is currently before the courts for resolution.

The party said for avoidance of doubt, the position including the manner a person becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives was to be found in the Constitution, and no constitutional provision or legislation says membership of the ruling or dominant party in the House was a pre-requisite.

APC also observed that as the number four citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the security details and apparatus attached to the person of the Speaker was not based on his lineage, person and or political leaning, rather, was on account of the position and the protection required for it and in Nigeria’s best interest.

“This unfortunate use and deployment of Nigeria’s security forces in a partisan and political way portends danger and further weakens important institutions of governance and jeopardizes national security. Under President Jonathan, we now have a Police Force that is monitoring and making conclusions with respect to party membership, qualification, of an otherwise elected official. This is unheard of in any decent democracy” the statement stated.

The party regretted that President Jonathan who had been a successive long term and unique beneficiary of our democracy and Constitution is now demonstrating the greatest disregard for the laws that govern and guide the country.

“President Jonathan who is the only individual who benefited from the same Constitution to become a Governor from a Deputy Governor without an election and from a Vice President to President in similar legal circumstances now desecrates the same Constitution.

“The All Progressives Congress rejects this challenge to democracy and modern society. We reject President Jonathan’s illegality and call for respect and compliance with the law. We reject this meddling in the affairs of the Legislature especially given the resolution of President Jonathan and his close advisers yesterday at their meeting to ask the Deputy Speaker Mr Emeka Ihedioha to unlawfully reconvene the House before the adjourned date” argued the opposition party.

The leading opposition party, however reminded President Jonathan that under the House Rules, only a resolution by all Principal Officers of the House and not even the Speaker, could reconvene the House before the adjourned date let alone the Deputy Speaker.

It also noted Mr. President’s misplacement of priority, as the meeting on how to illegally remove the Speaker took place on the same night Mubi, a town with a population of about two million people in Adamawa state fell to the Boko Haram insurgents.

Meanwhile, the Speaker’s media aide, Imam Imam stated Thursday in an interview with the newsmen that Tambuwal who was preparing for a trip and other aides were shocked this morning to observe and be told his boss’s security details have been withdrawn.

He said the development was too coincidental to the announcement by the Speaker’s defection to the APC, his formal appearance and presentation.

Still, Imam stated the issue would be left in the public court to be decided upon.