The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has accused the Presidency of hatching a plot to impeach Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al- Makura.
The governors also backed the move by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the Senate Committee on Finance for a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) account, decrying what they described as deliberate refusal by the Presidency to convene the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting for seven months.
They also said that the failure of NEC meeting to hold as required had denied the nation the constitutional opportunity to discuss the terrible state of the Nigerian economy.
The NGF, under the chairmanship of the Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, who met late Monday in Abuja, deliberated into the early hours of Tuesday.
According to the communiqué signed by its Chairman Rotimi Amaechi, the governors said that the alleged plan to impeach Al-Makura was assault on Nigeria’s Constitution.
The communiqué read in part: “It has come to our notice that the Presidency is plotting to illegally impeach the Governor of Nasarawa State, Mr. Tanko Al-Makura. “We condemn this renewed assault on Constitutional democracy.” On the state of the nation’s economy vis-avis the controversy over NNPC account, the governor said:
“We support the call by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala, and the Senate Committee on Finance for a forensic audit of the NNPC account.”
They condemned the “deliberate refusal” of the Presidency to conduct a National Economic Council meeting for seven months, lamenting that it has shut out the constitutional opportunity to deliberate on the “perilous state of the Nigerian economy thus plunging the nation into an economic and political crisis.”
The governors nonetheless urged the judiciary, especially the Supreme Court to fast-track the hearing on the constitutional cases especially the case of the Excess Crude Account and other illegal deductions on the oil subsidy.
The governors also described the suspension of the Governor of Central Bank (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido, as wrong and aimed at diverting attention from the current national discourse on the missing $20 billion from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation account.
They said: “The suspension of Sanusi by Mr. President is in clear breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the CBN Act, 2007.
“The suspension is aimed at diverting attention from the current national discourse on the allegations of corruption and questionable accountability.”
The governors also decried the killings in the North-East, while charging the Federal Government to do more in protecting lives and property, especially in the North- East.
They, however, commended the Nigerian military and other security agencies in their efforts at dealing with the security situation in the zone.
Earlier the Lagos State House of Assembly has condemned the alleged plot by the Presidency to remove two of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura and Alhaji Kashim Shettima of Nasarawa and Borno states respectively.
Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, representing Epe Constituency II, Hon Segun Olulade made the condemnation in a statement yesterday.
Olulade while referring to the press statement issued by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum on the matter said the Presidency had committed too many infractions through its policies and actions in the recent times more than ever before.
He noted that the desperation of President Goodluck Jonathan over his 2015 ambition has led him to commit many infractions designed to subvert the opposition, which is he said was dangerous for the polity and stability of the nation.
“It is already a known fact that Mr President is surrounded by bad advisers and political jobbers, hence the various scenario unfolding from the Presidency which are capable of undermining unity, peace and development of the nation. Any plot to remove opposition party governors will only overheat the polity as such will be vehemently resisted by our party”, Olulade said.
He emphasised that the situation in Borno State has transcended the state to national issue, therefore, Governor Shettima cannot be held responsible for deplorable security situation in the state.
like the abandoned aircraft is being used to educate the children about the component and importance of airplanes whenever they are on excursion.
Areas that are being surveyed include the palaces of the Akran of Badagry, Wawu, Jengen, Mobee and the Barakun of Seriki Williams Abass which is the relics of the slave trade in Badagry town
There are also plans to survey the Badagry divisional library, Customary Court, High Court and Whispering Palms and the Baale of Ajara chief Jacob Gbadebo.
Baale of Ajara chief Jacob Gbadebo who gave a deep insight into the history of Ajara Community from the ancient period till said the community is facing many developmental challenges.
