Benue state governor Samuel Ortom (photo credit: )
The purported impeachment of Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State by eight out of thirty members of the State House of Assembly is a desecration of the legislative sanctity, Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Yakubu Dogara have said.
In a statement signed by their media aide, the two leaders of the National Assembly also alleged that the Ortom impeachment process was championed with the support of the police as 22 other members who constituted more than two-third majority of the House were being kept away from the Assembly complex.
The principal officers of NASS also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the police to order.
The statement reads in part: “The situation in Benue State House of Assembly has grave implication for the nation’s democracy and it represents a throw-back to the period of dictatorship in our country. It also represents how the Nigeria Police are being misused to achieve political end.
“In a statement recently, the Presidency derisively referred to an era in the past where a minority number of legislators was used to impeach Governors who were unfriendly with the Federal Government. What we are seeing in Benue now is a return to that inglorious era.
“We believe this unlawful and unconstitutional move to impeach Governor Samuel Ortom by a minority should be condemned by all lovers of democracy, at home and abroad.
“We call on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the police to order and prevent a break-down of law and order. We also call on friends of Nigeria in the international community to lend their voice in condemning the perpetration of illegalities and actions that can subvert our democracy.
“There is already a tense atmosphere in Benue State following the recent killings. Nobody should encourage any action or move which may exacerbate the security situation in the North Central State.
“As leaders of the Federal legislature, we are ready to work with our colleagues in both chambers of the National Assembly to prevent any attempt to destroy any state legislature or use it to derail democracy.”