Impeachment of Kogi deputy governor illegal, unconstitutional – PDP Reps

The Peoples Democratic Party caucus of the House of Representatives on Thursday declared as illegal and unconstitutional the impeachment of the Kogi state Deputy Governor, Simon Achuba by the state House of Assembly.

Leader of the PDP House caucus, Rep. Kingsley Chinda made the observation on behalf of the caucus in a statement issued in Abuja, and signed by other caucus members.

The caucus stated that the impeachment of the deputy governor of portends a bad signal for Nigeria’s democracy, asserting that the action was baseless and a total debasement of all known democratic norms.

According to the PDP House members, the impeachment of the deputy governor stands condemned as the entire process leading to the impeachment did not follow due process and the rule of law.

Moreover, it described the entire exercise as “offensive, grosteque and embarrassing as the entire impeachment itself was a hoax,” considering the running battle between Governor Yahaya Bello and the impeached deputy governor.

Condemning the impeachment, the PDP House caucus further wondered how the impeachment proceeded when the judicial panel constituted by the state Chief Judge, Justice Nasiru Ajana had exonerated the deputy governor of the allegations of misappropriation of funds, non-compliance with extant financial regulations and gross misconduct made against him.

“Curiously, moments after the panel submitted its report on October 18, the state assembly led by its speaker proceeded to allegedly impeach the deputy governor.

“This is clearly, a travesty of justice and tantamount to a criminal conduct on the part of members of the assembly as it offends the letter and spirit of Section 188 (8) of the constitution.

“Equally, potent and compelling is the fact that assuming that the panel had found Achuba guilty of the allegations against him, Section 188 (8) of the constitution gives the state House of Assembly 14 days of the receipt of the panel’s report within which to consider the report which must be adopted by two-third majority of members for the impeachment to come into effect,” the caucus argued.

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The caucus therefore, said it cannot stand aloof and watch the nations’ hard earned democracy debased by persons guided by selfish political ambitions, adding that “indeed, to remain silent in the face of this invidious government action and executive rascality in Kogi state would amount to the greatest disservice to our nation.

“We must therefore, all rise up to defend democracy, due process and the rule of law and by implication, defend the sanctity of our country.”