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Tag: Al-Makura

Al-Makura in Lilliput

TODAY, Barometer must take refuge in literature, for evidently, even life in Nigeria, not to say politics itself, has also forayed dangerously and satirically into some sort of classics. This is why this columnist metaphorically takes Governor Tanko Al-Makura, whom the state House of Assembly is determined to impeach, on a journey into Jonathan Swift’s Lilliput for an epiphanic encounter with various dwarfs and small men in the Nasarawa legislature. Recall that in July, the legislature had ordered the state Chief Judge to constitute a panel to investigate the governor for gross misconduct. He dutifully complied, even though a fog hung over the lawmakers’ order.

But by the time the Chief Judge set up the seven-man panel, the 20 Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers who plotted the impeachment realised that the governor had outfoxed them. Governor Al-Makura had declined help from his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and its juggernauts, trusting both in his own charms and game plan. Unfortunately for Nasarawa lawmakers, the constitution does not provide for either the Chief Judge or the legislature to disband the panel once it is constituted. Only the courts could do so in exceptional cases. The lawmakers also realised that since the Chief Judge had defied them by refusing unlawful orders to disband the panel, it was unlikely the lawmakers could secure the cooperation or help of any judge in the state to do their bidding on the governor.

Eventually, the investigative panel found the governor blameless of all the charges levelled against him by the hostile lawmakers. But rather than let bad enough alone, the 20 lawmakers have promised and sworn to press ahead with the impeachment plan in violation of the law and the constitution. They could sit anywhere, they threatened, and would soon compel the Chief Judge to reconstitute the impeachment panel. In the interim, the lawmakers and the PDP have instigated demonstration in support of the pro-impeachment plotters.

The hostile lawmakers, notwithstanding federal help, will find it difficult to reverse the defeat they have suffered. Governor Al-Makura truly beat them and turned them into a spectacle. There is no conceivable stratagem they can come up with to save themselves from the humiliation they have experienced and must still endure for many months hence. They will not find a Chief Judge to do their nefarious bidding, nor find a court to void the clearance the investigative panel gave the governor. They can of course instigate public protests and seek, with the help of ingratiating and unconscionable federal troops, to undermine the rule of law. But it seems apparent that the lawmakers will meet their match both in the hands of supportive and long-suffering electorate, as well as come to grief in the bear hug of impatient and contemptuous local elite.

August 10, 2014
Why Al-Makura must survive

When Governor \Murtala Nyako was removed from the Government House, Yola, without any form of resistance, I was tempted to believe that the 2015 general elections (including the presidential poll) might be a walk over for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). One was forced to ask if the All Progressives Congress (APC) has any strategist. The House met, hatched the conspiracy, effortlessly got the numbers and executed the scheme. All the APC could do was whine and warn.

The PDP aim was very clear- snatch Adamawa from the opposition party and plant doubt in the minds of voters on the readiness of the APC to take over from the ruling party at the federal level. Boni Haruna and Buba Marwa who had just defected to the PDP were out to prove that they call the shots in the North Eastern state.

The success in Adamawa emboldened the PDP strategist to move into Nasarawa, being one whose legislature is equally controlled by the party. However, Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura would not give way so easily. He understood the political terrain and sought to strike at the PDP soft underbelly. The party has been unpopular in Lafia, the capital town, since the late Senator Haruna Abubakar pulled out in the first stanza of this dispensation.

Throughout the period that Governor Abdullahi Adamu ran the state affairs, he knew it was suicidal to attempt a popularity walk on Lafia streets. In the hands of a charismatic politician like Al-Makura, that was a potent weapon. The Lafia people were incensed that the PDP was seeking power through the back door. They, whether engineered or not, swung into action, sweeping through the streets. That was enough to set the alarm that the delicate peace in the state could be ruptured should the PDP insist on applying the Yola formula in Nasarawa.

The message could not have been lost on the 20 desperate PDP state lawmakers. While they got their brief from the Abuja overlords and would not easily lose the benefits promised, they knew they had people at home to contend with. They moved away from Lafia, illegally congregated in Abuja and Karu to hatch the plot, but found time, under heavy military cover, to sit in the official House of Assembly to pass the resolution mandating the Chief Judge to constitute a seven-member panel to investigate the allegations against Governor Al-Makura.

The legislative rascality following the panel’s sitting and dismissal of the 16 counts must end at that point. The constitution leaves no room for the legislature in determining composition of the panel, deciding the mode of sitting or the outcome of the deliberation. In the same way that what constitutes gross misconduct is left entirely to the legislators, the composition is the prerogative of the Chief Judge. If any of the concerned parties felt strongly about any of the issues, the court is the place to go. Refusal to accept the panel’s verdict amounts to legislative rascality and any attempt to force out the governor through extra-constitutional means would mean an open invitation to anarchy.

However, the APC should learn some lessons from what has transpired in Adamawa and Nasarawa States. It is not enough to lambast the federal ruling party for adopting anti-democratic style of governance. The party should have a political think-tank to advise and assist any of its governments in trouble. Truth be told, if the PDP believes it could remove any of the APC governors, thus weakening the opposition, it would do so. But, if it knows that such measures would come at a heavy price, it would be forced to think twice.

It should be noted that the ruling party has so many of those who sold out the Abiola/SDP victory in 1993/94. Many of the leaders do not care if Nigeria burns. All that matters to them is the pecuniary benefits they could rake in at any point in time.

Unfortunately though, the APC has failed so far to demonstrate that it has in its ranks people who understand the sociological make-up of Nigeria, its political behaviourand a machine that could proactively engage the ruling party. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has always said power is never served a la carte. It comes after a fierce struggle. But, his party is yet to demonstrate its understanding of this principle. Worse still, very little is being done to show the basic distinction between the two major parties. If tomorrow, Iyiola Omisore, having lost the Osun governorship election, seeks a space in the APC, he would be found one in the party’s highest organ.

The party must redefine its goals, mobilize people along the line of the goals and assure its supporters and all who think the PDP is an unmitigated disaster that the APC has what it takes to win elections and run a good government.

At the moment, the APC has a duty to follow the development in Nasarawa, Edo, Rivers and Borno States keenly and do as much behind the scenes as is being done in the public sphere.

Above all, Al-Makura received the votes of the people- he must survive. Nigeria must survive.

August 10, 2014
Panel’s clearance has vindicated me – Al Makura

Governor Umaru Tanko Almakura of Nasarawa State on Tuesday said he has been vindicated by the “not guilty” verdict of the-seven man impeachment panel, investigating allegations of gross misconduct preferred against him by the state House of Assembly.

Reacting to the verdict of the panel at the Government House, Lafia, Almakura said the dismissal of all the charges against him had proven beyond reasonable doubt that he did nothing wrong in the discharge of his duties as the governor of the state.

Almakura, who spoke with reporters, said, “There can be no further vindication than the verdict of the panel because each and every of the 16 allegations have been proved to be frivolous and dismissed accordingly. The people of goodwill in Nasarawa State who stood by me have also vindicated me by virtue of my antecedents and relationship with them.

“Even though the action and process taken by the legislators was a violation of the constitution, irrespective of that I decided to appear before the panel to defend myself.

“As God will have it, the very people that accused me and alleged so many frivolous and unsubstantiated allegations against me were not there to defend the allegations.

“They were trying to make a scapegoat through certain technicalities which were not sustainable.

“So I have nothing to fear as far as I am concerned because this is a victory for democracy. This is a victory for the rule of law. And I am ever ready to appear before any court of competent jurisdiction to defend myself at any point in time.

“They also are free as citizens of Nigeria and the law has given them the leverage in accordance with the constitution, to pursue their course.”

August 5, 2014
Panel dismisses charges against Al- Makura

The Nasarawa State probe panel on Tuesday cleared Governor Tanko Umaru Almakura of all the allegations of gross misconduct filed against him by the state House of Assembly.

The Assembly was also given 24 hours to appear before the panel and substantiate allegations made against the governor

The Chairman of the panel, Yusuf Usman, during the proceeding made reference to section 7 (c) of the panel guideline which stipulated that where the assembly fails to appear and lead evidence on the allegations, the panel, upon proof of service may dismiss the allegations.

Usman said the panel had during its Monday’s sitting, gave 24 hours grace to the lawmakers to appear and substantiate their case against the governor.

“The rule of natural justice and our criminal laws put the onus of proof on the complainant and failure to which the accused is deemed innocent.

“The House has failed to advance evidence on the allegations, therefore the panel agrees with the prayer of the governor’s counsel and has decided to dismiss the charges against the governor,” Usman said.

August 5, 2014
Al-Makura: I’ll face panel today

Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura and the House of Assembly are to appear today a panel probing corruption charges against the state’s helmsman.

Al-Makura told our correspondent last night that he would honour the panel’s summons as a mark of respect for the constitution and the rule of law.

He also said he offered to waive his immunity to demonstrate that he had nothing to hide.

There were indications last night that the Assembly might shun the invitation, after lawmakers’ battle to force a charge of its membership collapsed.

Chief Judge Justice Suleiman Dikko said having complied with Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution, only a competent court could disband the panel.

There are 16 allegations against Al-Makura, which the Assembly is expected to formally present its allegations against the governor to the panel based on an ad hoc committee it had set up. That is the standard procedure.

“After the presentation of the report on the allegations against the governor, the panel will ask Al-Makura and others implicated by the Assembly to respond to the allegations,” a source said.

Al-Makura said: “I have received a notice from the panel and I will appear as a mark of respect for the committee, the 1999 Constitution and the rule of law.

“I will testify to convince Nigerians that I have nothing to hide, despite the frivolous allegations against me.

“ I have my name and integrity to protect not only for personal gains but for posterity. I have served this state to the best of my ability and I want history to vindicate me.

“This is why I have waived my immunity in Section 308 of the constitution.”

Section 308 of the constitution says: “ Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, but subject to subsection (2) of this section –

(a) no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this section applies during his period of office;

(b) a person to whom this section applies shall not be arrested or imprisoned during that period either on pursuance of the process of any court or otherwise; and

(c) no process of any court requiring of compelling the appearance of a person to whom this section applies, shall be applied for or issued;

“Provided that in ascertaining whether any period of limitation has expired for the purposes of any proceedings against a person to whom this section apples, no account shall be taken of his period of office.

“The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party.

“ This section applies to a person holding the office of President or Vice-President, Governor or Deputy Governor; and the reference in this section to “period of office – is a reference to the period during which the person holding such office is required to perform the functions of the office.”

The governor has given instructions to all ministries, departments and agencies to give the members of the House of Assembly all their dues and entitlements.

A source said: “ The governor insisted that the lawmakers must be respected, their salaries and allowances paid as and when due.

“Al-Makura cautioned against vengeance or violence in any form. He said everything must be within the constitution and the rule of law.”

There were indications last night that the Assembly might shun the invitation of the panel if it is not reconstituted.

Another source added: “I think the Assembly might go to court instead of honouring the invitation of the panel. The lawmakers want to seek a court injunction to restrain the panel from going ahead with its investigation.

“Initially, the Assembly was opposed to the appointment of two members of the panel. But now, the lawmakers have faulted the entire membership of the panel.”

August 4, 2014
Impeachment: Al-Makura waives immunity, to appear before panel Monday

•Lawmakers jittery of stunning revelations at panel’s sitting

Determined to prove his innocence, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Alhaji Tanko Al-Makura, has offered to waive off his immunity to appear before the seven-man investigative panel on alleged mismanagement of state funds.

But it was learnt yesterday that members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly have become jittery following likely stunning revelations about their financial demands.

Some of the disclosures might include certain documents already before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that in spite of the setting up of a nine-man legal team to defend the 16 allegations against him, Governor Al-Makura has waived off his right to immunity in Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to testify before the panel.

Barring last minute change of mind, the governor may testify before the panel on Monday.

A highly-placed source said: “The panel will begin the public sitting on Monday; all parties have been notified, including the House of Assembly.

“We learnt the Assembly might boycott the open session because it has rejected two out of the seven members of the panel.

“But the most surprising is the decision of the governor to appear before the committee to respond to issues and place all facts before the committee on the allegations against him.

“The governor is determined to set a record to account for his stewardship and to prove to the people of the state that he did not steal their money.

“This is a governor who declared over N20billion assets and cash to the Code of Conduct Bureau when he assumed office. The records are there, anyone can apply for his Assets Declaration Form.

“For two or three months when he took over, the state could not afford to pay workers’ salaries and he used his personal money to offset some bills of the state.

“The governor has been saying that in what way could he have sacrificed for the state. The people of the state will hear a lot.

“As I talk to you, the governor does not begrudge the lawmakers. He is ready to meet with them in order to move the state forward.”

Contacted yesterday, Governor Al-Makura simply said: “I think I will make first appearance on Monday, and then my counsel can thereafter take over.

“I hope my counsel will allow me to have the first shot before they go ahead with the legal representation.”

He refused to talk further insisting that he has tremendous respect for the House of Assembly and constitutional guidelines on the ongoing impeachment proceedings against him.

Section 308 of the constitution says: “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution, but subject to subsection (2) of this section –

(a) no civil or criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against a person to whom this section applies during his period of office;

(b) a person to whom this section applies shall not be arrested or imprisoned during that period either on pursuance of the process of any court or otherwise; and

(c) no process of any court requiring of compelling the appearance of a person to whom this section applies, shall be applied for or issued;

“Provided that in ascertaining whether any period of limitation has expired for the purposes of any proceedings against a person to whom this section apples, no account shall be taken of his period of office.

“The provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to civil proceedings against a person to whom this section applies in his official capacity or to civil or criminal proceedings in which such a person is only a nominal party.

“This section applies to a person holding the office of President or Vice-President, Governor or Deputy Governor; and the reference in this section to “period of office – is a reference to the period during which the person holding such office is required to perform the functions of the office.”

Meanwhile, members of the Nasarawa House of Assembly were said to be jittery about the likely stunning revelations on their financial demands and expenditures which might be presented to the panel by the government and stakeholders.

Another source added: “Everyone is excited about the decision of the panel to subject the sitting to public hearing. All the facts and documents will be laid on the table for the people of the state to judge.

“At least people will have the knowledge of what comes to the state monthly; how it is disbursed and the projects already carried out by the government.

“The breakdown of funds, including extra-budgetary cash, spent on the lawmakers will also be known to the public.”

August 2, 2014
Travails of Al-Makura

Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura has been having a cat and mouse game with the House of Assembly for three and half years. Now, the plot to remove him has thickened, following the resolve of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to emasculate the opposition, ahead of next year’s elections, writes Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI.

Impeachments threats are not new to Governor Tanko Al-Makura. He has received quite a number of such threats in the three and half years he has been occupying the Government House in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital. But, following the impeachment of former Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, a colleague from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Al-Makura knows the threat is real this time.

Twenty out the 24 members of the House of Assembly want him impeached. The 20 lawmakers are card-carrying members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The House reached a resolution on Monday to serve Al-Makura with an impeachment notice. The resolution followed a motion of public interest raised by the deputy majority leader, Yahaya Usman (Umaisha/Ugya) Consti-tuency.

According to the Clerk of the House, Mr. Ego Maikeffi and Al-Makura is being impeached for gross misconduct and the violation of the constitution. The clerk on Tuesday that the governor is frustrating efforts to serve him the impeachment notice, saying attempts by him to reach the governor has been unsuccessful as he was denied entry into the Government House by the security personnel at the gate.

But, the governor has responded through his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Abdulhamid Kwara, saying he was ready to answer the allegations leveled against him appropriately when served the notice. Thousands of protesters loyal to Al-Makura took over the Abuja-Keffi highway early on Wednesday threatening to shut down the state in the event of his impeachment. The protesters caused a traffic gridlock on the expressway, the gateway between Abuja and nine northern states.

Following the latest development, he left Lafia on Tuesday evening for Abuja for an undisclosed reason. The governor, who is facing impeachment threat from the House left; shortly after holding series of meetings with his commissioners and other stakeholders in the state.

From the time Al-Makura sent the PDP government led by former Governor Akwe Doma packing at the 2011 general elections, he has not had any respite. The PDP had been at the helm of affairs in Nasarawa State since the restoration of democracy in 1999. The tide turned when Al-Makura, who contested the election under the platform of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), pulled a surprise victory at the poll.

The emergence of Al-Makura was made possible by the widespread disaffection with the PDP’s inability to provide a level playing field for its aspirants vying for tickets for various elective offices, including the governorship. In fact, the emergence of Doma as the governorship candidate never went down well with many stakeholders. These factors prepared the ground for the massive defection of Al-Makura and scores of his supporters into the CPC, one of the parties that later came together to form the APC.

Al-Makura’s travails started from day one. He came to power with a lot of commitments, determination and plans to rescue the state from its socio-economic woes. But, the first challenge that hit the administration was the state’s poor financial standing; no thanks to intimidating debt profile inherited from the immediate past administration. His administration inherited close to N40 billion in debts. The challenges had become so daunting that the state was said to be borrowing not less than N850 million monthly to pay salaries.

Thus, one of his immediate challenges was to identify additional sources of income to enable him meet the expectations of the people, in line with his campaign promises. In doing this, he required the co-operation of the House which is dominated by the PDP. But, this was not forthcoming. As a result, the administration has been having a running battle wi th the legislature. The House also rejected most of his appointments, policies and programmes. The lawmakers’ opposition to his policies and programmes, according to observers, was politically motivated and has nothing to do with the interest of the state.

This cat and mouse game between the governor and the lawmakers resulted into many impeachment threats against Al-Makura at the slightest opportunity. It is believed that the threats are being instigated by the PDP which is yet to recover from the shocking defeat of their benefactor in 2011. The PDP leadership is very critical of the government, accusing it of high handedness, incompetence and insensitivity to the people’s plight.

To compound the situation, the people of Nasarawa State woke up to the resurgence of communal clashes in the southern senatorial district, leading to loss lives and property. Despite government’s efforts to nip the crises in the bud, the crises keep escalating and spreading like wildfire. The most recent was the murder of no fewer than 70 security personnel drawn from the police, Directorate of State Security Service (DSSS), civil defence corps among others which has come to be known as the Ombatse massacre.

July 18, 2014
What’s next with Nyako down, Al-Makura under threat?

As the country moves towards the 2015 general elections, President Goodluck Jonathan appears to be showing his true colour. Tuesday’s impeachment of Murtala Nyako, the commencement of a similar plot to remove Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura and several developments on the political scene, say analysts, suggest that Nigeria is fast turning into a one-party state, reports Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI

With the impeachment of former Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the commencement of the process of removing another governor of the same party in Nasarawa State, Tank Al-Makura, Nigeria may be heading for a one-party state. Nyako was impeached on Tuesday by the House of Assembly, after 18 of the 25 members consented to the contents of the report of the panel which indicted him for alleged financial recklessness. His deputy, Bala Ngilari, resigned on Tuesday morning . His purported letter of resignation was read ahead of the day’s plenary by the former Speaker, Umaru Fintiri, who was sworn in as acting governor. Following this development, the PDP has taken over the state.

Members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly on Tuesday began impeachment proceedings against Al-Makura, who is also of the APC. The House directed its Clerk, Ego Maikeffi, to serve Al-Makura with an impeachment notice for alleged gross misconduct and misappropriation of funds the day before. The notice was signed by 20 of the 24 lawmakers during a sitting presided over by the Speaker, Ahmed Mohammed. The 16-count charge borders on alleged extra-budgetary expenses by the governor.

The plot to remove Al-Makura has been on for some time. The PDP has been angling to carry out the impeachment for over a year , using members of the Assembly, which is dominated by the opposition party, which was the ruling party before it was defeated by the APC. Indeed, Al- Makura’s Special Adviser on Special Duties Mohammed Abdullahi , alleged that members of the Assembly collected about N30 million each for the impeachment.

Aside from Adamawa and Nasarawa, a political crisis allegedly being fuelled by the PDP is simmering in Edo, Rivers, Ogun and a number of other states controlled by the APC. In Edo State, for instance, following a string of defections from the APC to the PDP, a crisis over the control of the Assembly has ensued. The House is now polarised along party lines and can hardly function. The allegation is that the former APC members who defected to the PDP were financially induced to do so.

In Rivers State, the PDP made an unsuccessful attempt to unseat Governor Rotimi Amaechi in May, last year, when eight lawmakers in the Assembly joined the camp of the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, bringing to 13 the number of anti-Amaechi lawmakers. But, the attempt to impeach the Speaker, who is loyal to Amaechi, backfired and so the process was stalled. The situation in Rivers now is one of uneasy calm, but the PDP, it is believed, has not given up.

With these developments, the opposition party is being emasculated in the power equation, as the country approaches the crucial 2015 general elections, no thanks to the machinations of the ruling PDP. This is made possible by the willingness of the ruling party to muscle its way through, using the financial wherewithal available to it from its vantage position.

The convener of the Nigerian Voters’ Assembly, a civil society group, Moshood Erubami, believes the PDP is getting ready to slam a one-party state on Nigeria.

He said: “Unfortunately when you look at the President and his mien, he looks so gentle, but when you see his body language and manifestations, you will know that he is a man that Nigerians should beware of. My fear is that the after-effect of all this anarchy might wake the military up and nobody can predict the end of the saga.”

A Lagos-based lawyer and the immediate past chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, Monday Ubani, described Jonathan’s latest antics to neutralise the opposition before 2015 as “absurdity of the highest order.” Ubani declined further comment, saying it is a bad omen for the general elections.

Nyako’s crisis is premised on his attempt to pilot the ship of state against the direction preferred by his former benefactors. He was removed, following a prolonged political crisis that started with the bickering within ruling PDP over control of the state between him and then National Party Chairman Bamanga Tukur. Observers say Nyako would have been sitting pretty as governor, but for his conflict with the party that brought him into office and his hard, rebellious posture against Jonathan.

Erubami said: “Nyako was not a thief when he was dancing to their tune, but since he joined the APC, he has become a thief. By extension, all the governors that defected to APC are now rogues and must be given rogue treatment. But, they should not forget that Nigerians are not stupid; we know whose script is being played out. Very soon all their strategies and tactics would come home to roost.

“It is a very big threat to our democracy because the process through which Nyako was impeached is very much unconstitutional. The man went to court before the committee started sitting, but they ignored it. Where the rule of law is set aside in preference for personal ambition is an anathema to democratic norms.”

He told The Nation on Tuesday that: “We know those who are writing the script. It is not strange; we have witnessed a situation where seven legislators attempted to impeach a speaker in an assembly that has over 15 members, all in bid to remove the governor. We are hearing about Nasarawa now. So, where they cannot rig elections, what they do is to impeach?”

Elder statesman and Second Republic politician Alhaji Tanko Yakassai noted that whosoever advised Nyako and his deputy to shun the invitation extended them by the investigating to defend themselves did not give them a good advice.

His words: “It was not really helpful because in a matter like this you need to give your own side of the story. Maybe the people have made up their mind, but at least posterity would know what you have to say. This is because when you are accused of committing a crime and you keep quiet, whether you like it or not it would be deemed that you are guilty. Your defence might not make much difference, but it would be on record forever that this was your response.”

Yakassai does not believe that Nigeria is heading for a one-party state.

“Nigeria is not the kind of country that would end up with a one-party state,” he said, adding that what happened in Adamawa and what is happening in Nasarawa is a continuation of the PDP crisis.

“Nyako was a member of the PDP and Tanko Al Makura was also a member of the party before he crossed over to the defunct CPC just before the 2011 election and got elected. So, it’s a continuation of the PDP crisis,” he said.

Nevertheless, Yakassai said it is unfortunate that the crisis in Adamawa reached this stage.

July 17, 2014
Nasarawa Assembly serves Al-Makura impeachment notice

Lawmakers at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly Monday passed a motion directing the clerk of the House to serve Governor Umaru Tanko Al)Makura with an impeachment notice.

Sixteen of the 24 members rushed back from an ongoing recess and held a plenary session that lasted only about 12 minutes where they discussed only one item – the impeachment process, which was raised under Matters of Public Interest.

The House said the impeachment process became necessary after a report of a recent probe by an adhoc comnittee of the House indicted AlMakura over alleged “gross misconduct” and “Abuse of Office.”

Twenty of the 24 members; all of them members of the PDP signed the impeachment.

The House resolved and directed the clerk to process and to serve the Governor with an impeachment notice, and to copy the judiciary to commence judicial processes towards the planned impeachment.

Speaker Musa Ahmed Mohammed who explained the urgency and importance of the issue recalled members back from the recess, did not however say when the House will return for further deliberations on the matter.

The session held as the state was awaiting the arrival of President Goodluck Jonathan who is in the state to commission a farm owned by a foreign investor.

July 14, 2014
Al-Makura vows to prosecute Ombatse militia, sponsors

Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura yesterday vowed to ensure the prosecution of members of the Ombatse militia and their sponsors over the killing of innocent of people and destruction of property in the state.

Al-Makura, who stated this in Lafia promised not to relent until justice was done.

“We will go to the logical conclusion in bringing the culprits to book.

“We will go through the right process and make sure whoever is involved, even if you have immunity, we will wait for the period of the immunity to expire and then, we will get back to you.”

According to him, dropping name will not help them because his administration is passionate about bringing to book people who have given the entire citizens of this state sleepless night.

The governor said that the most challenging thing before him was how to deal with ‘’these criminals.

“How I stand up to Ombatse is my biggest challenge and no matter how they run, no matter how highly placed is their leaders, I most bring them to book”.

“If that is the only thing I will do, I will do it so that I can give my people some kind of sense of peace, sense of protection and sense of security.

“If these people are thinking they are going to destabilise me or unsettle me by this sporadic criminal activities, attacking innocent people, innocent tribes, will weaken my nerves, that will strengthen my nerve.

“I am here first and foremost as governor to ensure that every citizen of this state is protected; that is my most important responsibility.”

June 6, 2014