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Tag: APC

  • Defection: PDP plots against pro-APC Senators, Reps

    Defection: PDP plots against pro-APC Senators, Reps

    •Tukur to write Mark, Tambuwal

    THE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is launching a desperate last move to stop dissenting Senators and Reps from crossing over to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).

    In the event of failing to stop them from defection, the party has decided to get the leadership of the National Assembly to declare their seats vacant.

    No fewer than 22 PDP senators are believed to be on their way to the APC. The number of reps is yet unknown.

    The leadership of the PDP, according to sources, is highly scandalised by the recent defection of five of its governors to the APC and has sworn to stop its National Assembly members who are sympathetic to the governors by all means.

    It was gathered that the embattled National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has already met Senate President David Mark and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal of the House of Representatives to prevail on senators and reps suspected of planning to defect to reconsider their move or forfeit their seats.

    The affected lawmakers are adamant, according to sources.

    The senators, largely made up of members of the defunct Kawu Baraje-led New PDP, had shunned a peace move launched by Tukur to dissuade them from defecting to the APC.

    Twenty of the New PDP senators boycotted a peace meeting called last Wednesday by the national leadership of the party. Only two of them attended the parley which was meant to give the party an opportunity to convince the lawmakers of the need for them to stay in the party.

    Also in the House of Representatives, scores of PDP legislators are reportedly putting finishing touches to their planned mass defection to the APC.

    Sources said barring unforeseen circumstances, the lawmakers may officially announce their defection on the floor of the House this week.

    “It is no longer a secret that nearly 80 legislators in the lower chamber are now APC members. What is left to be done is an official announcement and that may just happen this week in spite of pressure and intimidation from the ruling party,” a source told The Nation.

    Investigation by The Nation revealed that the leadership of the two chambers in the National Assembly has been under pressure to move against the planned defections by threatening the lawmakers that all defecting PDP lawmakers will have their seats declared vacant.

    It was gathered that both Senator Mark and Speaker Tambuwal have declined to make any such announcement on the ground that since no lawmaker has notified them of his or her intention to defect, it will be unwise to precipitate crisis in the National Assembly with such threat.

    One source said: “Determined to intimidate the New PDP legislators in the National Assembly, the party has been urging the leadership of the two chambers to take a position on the declaration of the seat of decamping PDP legislators vacant.

    “But the Senate President and the Speaker turned all such overtures down. They are both of the opinion that unless there is a notification to the effect that a lawmaker is defecting, it is not proper for them to be the one to start a crisis by making such statement.”

    Determined to brow beat the lawmakers into abandoning their planned defection, the leadership of the PDP, according to reliable sources, may have decided on another approach to the knotly issue.

    “After serious consultations, especially following the refusal of the federal lawmakers to honour the invitation of the national chairman last Tuesday, the PDP has resolved to take the fight to the lawmakers in the National Assembly by formally reminding the leadership of the need to declare the seat of any defecting PDP lawmaker vacant.

    “The idea is to remind those planning to defect of the danger of losing their seats. The party has been saying this since the defection crisis started but we think it will be taken more seriously if it is announced on the floors of the House and the Senate.

    “If the leadership of the National Assembly wants a letter before acting, the national chairman of the PDP is now prepared to give them a letter to be read to our members reminding them of their obligations to the party that gave them a platform to go and represent their people at the national assembly,” our source said.

    The Nation learnt that the move was to pre-empt a situation where the APC will have the majority in the two chambers after the planned defection.

  • G7 governors intact, insists Aliyu

    G7 governors intact, insists Aliyu

    GOVERNOR Babangida Aliyu of Niger State said yesterday in Kano that the G7 governors are still ‘intact’ regardless of the recent defection by five of them from the PDP to the APC.

    Only Aliyu and his Jigawa counterpart, Alhaji Sule Lamido, remain in the PDP out of the seven Governors opposed to what they called undemocratic style of the party’s national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

    Aliyu, on a courtesy visit to Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, one of the five that defected, described the G7 as intact and solid, but only pursuing the same objective through different approaches.

    “We are still together as one indivisible body. We communicate, exchange ideas and are pursuing the same objective. Our goal is never different, for your information,” he said.

    What is unfolding in public, according to him, should not be misconstrued to mean that the group is now divided.

    Aliyu, who was accompanied by former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima declared that nothing can separate him from Governor Kwankwaso.

    “All we are doing is a unified idea. We are only strategising towards the same objective,” he said.

    His host spoke in the same vein.

    He said: “Those of us that went ahead were to chart the way for those we left behind for the political commanders to finish one or two things before joining us. Be rest assured that they will join us.

    “We share everything together and people should be rest assured that we are engaging in a political strategy.”

     

  • Women groups endorse Aregbesola for second term

    Women groups endorse Aregbesola for second term

    More than 100 women groups have endorsed the Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, for a second term in office.

    The women groups, including the Market Women Association, artisans, women professional bodies, the 31 local government women leaders and 332 wards women leaders of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state among others during the weekend, endorsed the governor at the Freedom Park, Osogbo, during a public lecture and sensitisation rally on women participation in politics.

    While commending the Aregbesola administration for giving women a prominent role in governance, the groups through the APC State Interim Women Leader, Alhaja Kudirat Fakokunde, said the women across the state gathered to throw their weight behind the second term ambition of the governor in recognition of his performance in office.

    She added that women in the state have benefited immensely from the Aregbesola-led administration through different schemes, including the Osun School Feeding and Health Programme, O Meals, OYES and welfare package for the elderly in the state.

     

    The APC women leaders assured the governor of the continuous support of the women groups before and after the 2014 governorship election.

    In her speech at the occasion, wife of the state governor, Mrs. Sherifat Aregbesola, expressed gratitude to women in the state for throwing their weight behind the second term bid of her husband, saying their prayers have been very helpful.

    Aregbesola advised women to take the issue of cleanliness of their body and environment seriously so as stay healthy and be free from diseases.

    In his response, Governor Argbesola expressed appreciation for the recognition, assuring them of his commitment to the issues of women and children.

  • Tinubu, Fashola for council’s anniversary

    Tinubu, Fashola for council’s anniversary

    SENATOR Oluremi Tinubu and wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, will lead other dignitaries to the 10th year anniversary of the creation of Itire-Ikate Local Council Development Area and second year in office of the present council boss, Hon Hakeem Bamgbola.

    The week-long event will begin on Friday with a Jumat Service at Ijeshatedo Central Mosque to be followed with a novelty match between the council’s management and political class.

    On Sunday, there will be a Thanksgiving at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikate, while Mrs. Fashola and Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, will grace the graduation and bursary award ceremony on Monday.

    Senator Tinubu will draw the curtain of the events on Tuesday with an empowerment programme at Mogaji Street. Other guests expected are the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ademorin Kuye; Onitire of Itire, Oba Lateef Dauda and Interim Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Otunba Henry Ajomale.

  • 22 senators set to dump PDP for APC

    22 senators set to dump PDP for APC

    ABOUT 22 Senators elected on the platform of PDP may be on their way to the All Progressive Party (APC). This is despite Wednesday’s trouble shooting visit to the Senate by the embattled National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, to stop the cross over, coming soon after the defection of five PD governors to the APC. A Senator familiar with the development told The Nation yesterday that “it’s just a matter of time for us to consummate our plan to move to the APC.” A similar move in the House of Representatives is already generating tension in the chamber following a move by some members to sack principal officers like Depputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Majority Leader Mulikat Akande- Adeola, Deputy Leader Leo Ogor, Chief Whip Isiaka Bawa and Deputy Chief Whip Ahmed Mohammed. However, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal is said to have prevailed on the members to soft pedal. The Senate source said Tukur’s visit might have been prompted by the planned defection to “massage our back and give us false hope.” The source said that “after the successful defection of the five governors to the APC, the National Assembly is the next theatre of defection.” The source added that the three Senators from one of the Northwest states were so “pissed off with Tukur” that they walked out on him during the Senate visit. One of the angry Senators was said to have thundered, as he walked out: “Tukur did not know how I contested and won my election; he will not also know how I will contest and win the next election.” The source did not name the about-to-defect Senators because as he put it, “it is not in my place to announce the names of anybody who wants to leave PDP.” “As we speak, those of us who have made up our minds to seek a new platform for our political future are not fewer than 22 in this Senate,” he said. But he hinted that two to three senators will move from each of Jigawa, Sokoto States, Adamawa, Kano, Gombe, Kwara, Rivers and Borno States where two to three senators and one each from Nasarawa, Taraba, Kebbi and Niger States. “We know the five governors who left PDP, we know Senators and House of Representatives members who are their (governor’s) loyalists. Very soon, the era of speculation will be over when everybody will answer his name,” he said. Asked why Tukur left out the House of Representatives during his visit, the source said “it may be due to the perception of the leadership of the House as rebels, rightly or wrongly. It may also be that the leadership of the party considers Senators more strategic in its scheme of things.” PDP currently has 72 members, APC has 33, LP 3 and APGA 1 in the Senate. Meanwhile, Speaker Tambuwal has stalled move by some Reps to oust certain principal officers of the House on the heel of the planned defection of PDP members to APC. The number of APC members in the House has is believed to have risen beyond the stipulated 181 in the House rules with the defection of the five PDP governors to APC. The strength of the APC in the House was tested during this week’s plenary proceedings as they blocked a motion perceived to be against their interest. A member of the APC in House who spoke under anonymity,said: “APC has exceeded 181 as at today. Before the PDP governors joined us, the number was 137. As you know, the rules stipulate 181. Once that is reached, the configuration changes.” This position was confirmed by Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila of the APC, who posited that the strength of members of the party in the House is over 181. “The new arithmetic of the lawmakers in the House is 137, existing APC members plus 57 new PDP members that recently joined, making a total of 194 members,” another APC lawmaker said. APC members were initially moving for the removal of the Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, the majority Leader Mulikat Akande- Adeola, the Deputy Leader, Leo Ogor, Chief Whip, Isiaka Mohammed Bawa and the Deputy Chief Whip, Ahmed Mukhtar Mohammed. But ahead of the APC’s plan to unveil the strength of its members in the House, Speaker Tambuwal moved to douse tension over the change in the power structure of the House. Gbajabiamila, who was in America when The Nation called him, said the unveiling is coming “soon.” A member of the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) Hon. Dakuku Peterside was of the opinion that the change in power structure would bring a better Nigeria, “There has been a lot of alignment and realignment. There’s a whole new political current going on in the two chambers of the National Assembly. One thing that is certain is that the power configuration must change. “Now, the change in power configuration will come with consequences and implications. It might affect the leadership of the parties in the National Assembly, and again it will also affect the way the NASS relates with the Executive arm of government. “It might be negative or positive, but ultimately, it will be for the good of the Nigerian people. For the first time, there will be effective checks and balances. It will no longer be family affairs. The days of family affairs are gone and gone for good. The politics of Nigeria will never be the same again.” The APC , sequel to a meeting held at the Kano State Government Lodge in Kano early this week with the leaders of the APC and governors elected on the party’s platform and governors who defected from the PDP, had mapped out an agenda for the change of the leadership in the House of Representatives. But Tambuwual, after the meeting in which he was present, was said to have appealed to the opposition over the matter. The Nation learnt that one of the reasons for the appeal was that there would be division in the House should such sweeping changes in the leadership cadre of the House be effected.

  • Merger: Nigeria’s democracy getting better – Atiku

    Merger: Nigeria’s democracy getting better – Atiku

    Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, said on Friday in Ado Ekiti that Nigeria is becoming a better democratic entity.

    Responding to the latest merger of the five erstwhile Peoples Democratic Party governors who joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), Atiku maintained that the development was a confirmation of development in the country’s fledgling democracy.

    The former vice president, who reaffirmed his support for two-party democracy, said, “I have always spoken in support of efforts geared towards making Nigeria a two-party state which I think is the best for the country.”

    Abubakar spoke during a visit to the Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, in his office in the state capital.

    He said, “I welcome the merger. It is good for democracy. I have always supported two-party system.

    “We are eventually moving towards two-party system. In this country, we need two strong parties not one big party with other very small ones. In that case, we would not have true democracy.”

    The former vice president, however, refused to disclose which of the two parties he belonged to and the nature of his participation in next year’s presidential election.

    Atiku said: “I belong to democracy. Even during military rule, I stood and fought for democracy. I am a true democrat and I still stand for democracy.”

     

  • APC to Fed Govt: pay Edo widow her husband’s gratuity

    APC to Fed Govt: pay Edo widow her husband’s gratuity

    All Progressives Congress (APC), Edo State chapter, yesterday urged the Federal Government to pay the gratuity of the husband of an Edo State widow, Mrs. Joy Ifijeh.

    The woman, whose late husband was a policeman, was upbraided by Governor Adams Oshiomhole for displaying her goods on the road penultimate week in Benin City.

    Addressing reporters yesterday at the party’s secretariat in Benin, the APC Interim Publicity Secretary in the state, Comrade Godwin Erhahon, said: “The truth is that Mrs. Ifijeh would not have resorted to street trading if the past Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government had built markets for traders.”

    He said the failure of the PDP to build markets compounded her predicament, adding that the PDP shylocks placed the few shops at markets beyond the reach of average Nigerians like the widow.

    “We are surprised that PDP jesters are staging a drama over the episode of Mrs. Ifijeh, who was arrested with other street traders at a forbidden spot by the governor in the heart of Benin City,” Erhahon said.

    He said the crime rate, especially kidnapping, has dropped since Governor Oshiomhole signed into Law, the anti- kidnapping Bill. He described PDP’s criticism on unemployment rate in the state as biased.

  • APC warns Jonathan to stop threatening ASUU

    APC warns Jonathan to stop threatening ASUU

    AFTER meeting for about five hours in Abuja, All Progressive Congress (APC)leaders issued yesterday a damming verdict on the state of the nation.

    The party scolded President Goodluck Jonathan for handling security and the Boko Haram insurgency with “political naivety”.

    It urged the President to dust up the Lemu Panel’s Report and compensate victims of the insurgency.

    Besides, the party advised the President to show leadership by working with striking university lecturers instead of threatening them.

    It accused the Federal Government of using anti-graft agencies to persecute governors and perceived political enemies.

    The party expressed regrets that the police had been turned into a wing of the Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to deal with opponents.

    It said the deployment of the police for intimidation and coercion in some states is against the principle of federalism

    The APC, which made its position known in a communiqué at the end of a strategic session at the Kano Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro District, Abuja, said Nigeria was becoming a neo-fascist state.

    The session, which began at about 8.30pm on Tuesday, ended at about 12.20am yesterday.

    In the communiqué, read by its National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, the APC leader said while corruption has remained endemic under the Jonathan’s administration, the government is compounding the situation with abuse of anti-graft agencies.

    The party said: “Since the declaration of State of Emergency in key Northeastern states affected by the insurgency, life and property have been under severe attacks.

    “A large number of residents have been displaced and forced to migrate to adjoining states or outside the country. These victims have been uprooted from their homes, families and jobs. They have lost hope in the ability of their country to protect them.

    “Clearly the State of Emergency has failed. To make the matters worse, the elected governors and the other stakeholders of the areas are ignored and totally excluded by the Federal Government agencies.

    “Never since the Nigerian Civil War has a major military establishment been so grounded as the onslaught on the military base in Maiduguri on December 2nd, 2013.

    “This gradual deterioration of security and mounting civilian casualties are symptomatic of the failure of intelligence, political naivety and disconnect between the Jonathan administration and current realities of the Nigerian situation.”

    The APC demanded compensation for victims of insurgency.

    It said: “The issue of compensation should not be one of negotiation. The government must compensate victims. The Lemu Report with its template for an interim escape route provides the basis for constructive engagement.

    “We urge the government to dust it up along relevant reports on Nigerian security to assist it in its strategy towards effective national security.”

    On the university lecturers’ strike, the party said Nigerians should blame the Federal Government.

    It urged President Jonathan’s administration to show leadership by working with the varsity lecturers to salvage the system.

    Said the APC: “The protracted strike is not so much the fault of the lecturers but that of Jonathan administration to confront key issues of university education and administration today.

    “The current impasse has paralysed tertiary education nationwide, compromised security by creating idle youth, potentially foreclosing prospects for a bright future.

    “Now is the time for Jonathan administration to show leadership by working with university lecturers to find a lasting solution to the challenges confronting university education, in terms of funding, infrastructure, standards, welfare and administration.

    “This is not the time for threats but partnerships and compromise because the youths are our best resources for tomorrow.

    “As a political party, as parents and guardians, our heart goes out to millions of our youths who have been deprived their right to education for over half of an academic session through no fault of theirs.”

    The APC accused the Federal Government of using anti-graft agencies to persecute governors and perceived political enemies.

    It said: “The abuse of public institutions by the Federal Government and the ruling party in persecuting perceived political enemies undermines the integrity of these institutions and subverts the rule of law.

    “We have watched the trend in which selected governors and other top political figures are being victimised.

    “This does not augur well for a civil relationship in our body politic. It emphasises revenge over fairness and breeds malice, rancour and distrust.”

    “For the avoidance of doubt, we will wage a consistent and persistent war against corruption and plug wastages. Corruption under the current Federal Government is endemic and Nigeria’s rating has never been this bad.”

    The party faulted how the Police had been turned into the “Rottweiler” of the Presidency and the ruling party.

    “The Presidency and the ruling party have deployed the police against the highest principles of federalism,” the APC said, adding:

    “Examples of Rivers and Abuja governors’ meeting at Kano Governor’s Lodge where even subordinate police officers act with impunity that has turned Nigeria into a neo-fascist state.

    “This contradicts the very basis of democracy, violates the fundamental rights of citizens and elected officers who do not belong to the ruling party and perceived as enemies of the Presidency.”

    The APC restated its demand for the overhaul of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC).

    It said: “Less than six months to elections in Ekiti and Osun, with 2015 looming ahead, we are burdened with an INEC that has been de-robed in the public eye, unprepared, compromised and does not inspire faith in the electorate.

    “The scale of electoral fraud witnessed in Delta and Anambra portends grave danger for our democracy. INEC needs an urgent and necessary overhaul.

    “The APC calls for full implementation of Justice Muhammadu Uwais Report on electoral reforms. Rather than a selective approach, we demand a wholesale implementation of the recommendations submitted.

    “The independence of INEC, the institution of full biometrics that can guarantee the protection of one man, one vote and the integrity of the election process are cornerstone of a credible electoral system.”

    Some of the APC leaders at the session were former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari; former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; former Borno State Governor Modu Ali Sheriff; former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva and former EFCC Chairman Nuhu Ribadu. National Publicity Secretary Alhaji Lai Mohammed was there.

    Others included Governors Ibikunle Amosun(Ogun); Rotimi Amaechi(Rivers); Aliyu Wamakko(Sokoto); Kayode Fayemi(Ekiti); Murtala Nyako(Adamawa); Abdulfatai Ahmed(Kwara); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Babatunde Raji Fashola(Lagos); and Rabiu Kwankwanso(Kano).

    House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal was seen at the lodge, but his mission was unclear at press time.

  • Sylva, others dump PDP for APC

    Sylva, others dump PDP for APC

    There were uncertainties in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State on Wednesday following an indication that the former governor of the state, Mr. Timipre Sylva, had finally dumped the party for the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Sylva, an estranged member of the PDP, who took succour in the fold of the Kawu Baraje-led new PDP was said to have joined the APC with his array of supporters.

    The former governor, who was denied a second term ticket by the PDP was said to have taken the decision in his bid to bounce back to political relevance.

    Sylva was conspicuous at all the gatherings of the nPDP that culminated in the merger of the splinter group including five PDP governors with the APC on last week.

    He also posed for pictures along with the defecting members of the PDP after the merger was consummated in Abuja.

    When The Nation inquired about Sylva’s fate, a source close to him said the former governor had toed the path of his leaders in the nPDP.

    The source who pleaded anonymity said: “His fate is known. You know he was a principal member of the nPDP and he was involved in all the meetings and negotiations before the merger.

    “He contributed in midwifing the process. If the nPDP has joined the APC, it means he has also joined the APC. He can’t back out from the decision of the nPDP.

    “Also you remember that PDP dumped Sylva and denied him a second-term ticket despite all the sacrifices he made for the party including his contributions to the election of President Goodluck Jonathan. So if Sylva and other like minds decided to dump the party for APC, his action is justified.”

     

     

  • Anxiety over plot to declare Amaechi, Wammako, others’ seats vacant

    Anxiety over plot to declare Amaechi, Wammako, others’ seats vacant

    Desperate Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders renewed yesterday their push for the removal of the five governors who dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The plan is to use the court to declare vacant their seat, The Nation learnt yesterday.

    The governors are Rotimi Amaechi(Rivers), Murtala Nyako(Adamawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso(Kano), Aliyu Wammako(Sokoto) and Abdulfatai Ahmed(Kwara).

    The hawks in PDP are said to be considering filing an ex-parte motion at any high court which will lead to a declaratory order asking the governors to leave office immediately.

    But President Goodluck Jonathan is said to have asked the PDP leaders behind the plot to pull the brakes on it because of its likely consequences on the nation’s political environment.

    One of the lawyers engaged in filing the suit last night however said: “We have not yet filed any document in court.

    “I think the President has not agreed with the PDP leaders who are pushing the matter. The President has asked them to stay action.”

    It was learnt that some PDP leaders were shocked by the threat which the defection last Tuesday might pose to the PDP’s electoral fortunes.

    They were said to have agreed on creating legal hurdles for the governors.

    It was learnt that the party has already secured the services of a 10-man legal team, including Chief Alex Iziyon (SAN), who is more or less the counsel to the President; Phebian Ajogu (SAN), Austin Alegeh (SAN) and a Northern constitutional Lawyer.

    A source said: “We learnt that the PDP is either considering filing a motion ex-parte or pushing for accelerated hearing of its application.

    “But some leaders of the party are in favour of a motion ex-parte. Once the application is granted, the five governors will be asked to vacate office immediately or be ejected from office.

    “In fact, the PDP is banking on the invocation of Section 221 of the 1999 Constitution to support its application. This Section was invoked by the Supreme Court to declare Amaechi as the Governor of Rivers State.

    “The party is claiming that the governorship tickets of the five governors belong to the PDP and not the occupants.

    “Also, we learnt that the party might apply the principle of ‘Case Stated’ to compel a Federal High Court to ask for interpretations of Section 221 from the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court to seal the fate of the governors at the lower court.”

    As at press time, a meeting of the APC governors was being convened at Kano Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro District, Abuja.

    The session, expected to be closed door from 9pm, might go far into the night.

    One of the APC governors , who spoke in confidence, said: “This is our first meeting after five PDP governors joined the progressives club. We are going to chart the way forward for the party to make the merger of the New PDP and the APC to work.

    “We will also take time to discuss issues affecting our governors, including plans by the PDP to declare the seats of the five governors vacant.

    “The PDP is capable of any mischief; we are also going to put our legal team on standby.”

    The National Chairman of the merged New PDP, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, said: “There is no law backing the declaration of a governor’s seat vacant.

    “Why are they just talking now when some PDP governors have joined the APC? I was the one who received ex-Governor Ikedi Ohakim when he defected from PPA to PDP. Was Ohakim’s seat declared vacant? Wasn’t Governor Isa Yuguda in ANPP before joining PDP? What of Governor Theodore Orji of Abia State who defected to PDP from PPA. Did all these governors vacate their seats?

    “This is not the first time the PDP has tried to declare the seats of our members vacant. Some of our members in the National Assembly have actually sued Bamanga Tukur.”

    Another leader said the conditions for removing governors are contained in Sections 188 and 189 of the 1999 Constitution.

    Section 188 reads in part: “A governor can be removed by reason of death, resignation, impeachment, permanent incapacity or removal in accordance with Section 188 or 189 of this Constitution.”

    Section 188 says in part: “The Governor or Deputy Governor of a State may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this section.

    “Whenever a notice of any allegation in writing signed by not less than one-third member of the members of the House of Assembly is (a) presented to the Speaker of the House of Assembly of the State; (b) stating the holder of such office is guilty of gross misconduct in the performance of the functions of his office, detailed particulars of which shall be specified.

    Section 189 says in part: “The Governor or Deputy Governor of a State shall cease to hold office if (a) by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of all members of the Executive Council of the state, it is declared that the Governor or Deputy Governor is incapable of discharging the functions of his office; and (b) the declaration in paragraph (a) of this sub-section is verified, after such medical examination as may be necessary, by a medical panel established under subsection (4) of this section in its report to the Speaker of the House of Assembly.”