A civil society group called the Concerned Nasarawa All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders Forum has urged Governor Abdullahi Sule and the National Assembly to intervene in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly dispute.
Concerns have been raised about an apparent crisis in the Nasarawa state parliament, which erupted on June 8 when 13 after factional members voted in plenary to suspend the other factional members.
Ibrahim Balarabe and Daniel Ogazi are the two factional speakers reported to be at loggerheads.
However, in a statement made by Ibrahim Shaibu, Convener of the Concerned Nasarawa APC Stakeholders Forum, Thursday, the group urged the National parliament leadership to step in and temporarily seize charge of the state parliament until the matter is resolved.
The group expressed concerns about the growing lawlessness and impunity in the State House of Assembly.
The group further emphasised the negative repercussions of these acts on the growth of democracy within the State and throughout the country.
“We find it necessary to address you today on the unhealthy State of affairs developing in Nasarawa State, which could affect the growth of democracy in our State and the nation at large, because it is a bad example.
“This media engagement today is part of our patriotic efforts to save democracy, and end lawlessness and impunity, which is the new normal in Nasarawa State and is being perpetrated by the executive governor.
“The Concerned Nasarawa APC Stakeholders are worried over the substitution of impunity and lawlessness in the political space of the state, perpetuated by individuals who consider themselves invincible and their political interests above the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria,” the group stated.
The group also criticised the state house of assembly’s “consistent disregard for due process” over a court judgement that prevents Ibrahim Balarabe from parading himself as speaker of the state 7th legislature.
According to the organisation, the act is the height of impunity, noting that the state house of assembly has continued to reject Ogah Ogazi, elected by a simple majority vote and within the assembly complex.
The concerned group also called out Governor Sule for accommodating and allegedly condoning the Balarabe-led group of some Assembly members for what they characterised as Mr Sule’s unrelenting assault on the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution, which he is tasked with defending.
“Governor Abdullahi A. Sule’s ill-conceived hospitality and reception of the Balarabe-led group of some Assembly members at the Government House, Lafia, recently without recourse to the existing order of a Federal High Court on the Assembly matter is an aberration of his oath of office, which he swore with the holy Qur’an to uphold the Constitution and preserve democracy in the State.
“The Governor has continued unabated to lead a direct attack on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which he’s saddled with the responsibility of protecting.
“We’re so far disappointed by the actions of the Governor on this matter, despite wise counsels and entreaties from critical stakeholders of the APC and the State, on the need to broker peace between the two factions.
“Sadly, the Governor has continued to recognise the illegality perpetuated by the Balarabe group,” the group added.
