The federal government has directed House of Assembly speakers of the five states whose governors were sacked by the supreme court a couple of hours ago to step in and take charge of leadership of the affected states even as it directed the newly appointed Inspector General of police Mohammed Abubakar and heads of other security agencies to step in to maintain law and order in the five states.
The directive issued by Nigeria’s controversial Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke said the federal government will comply with the court order.
The governors who were removed this morning by the court ruling are Ibrahim Idris (Kogi), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) and Liyel Imoke (Cross River) who are all members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).The decision was taken by a seven-member panel of the supreme court chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Mudsapher.
From L to R - Murtala Nyako, Aliyu Wamako, Timipre Sylva, Liyel Imoke & Ibrahim Idris
Other members of the panel are Justices Mahmud Mukhtar, Walter Onnonghen, Chukwuma Ene, Ibrahim Coomasie, Olufunlola Adekeye and Mary Peter-Odili.
The judgement followed an appeal filed by the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) governorship candidate in Adamawa State, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Adoke’s statement reads:
“Today, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered judgment in the appeal emanating from the judgment of the Court of Appeal in respect of the tenure of the five governors namely Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River , Sokoto and Kogi states. The Court decided that the five governors had since completed their tenure and accordingly relieved them of their office.
The Federal Government acknowledges the judgment of the Supreme Court and in line with the provisions of Section 191(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, calls on the Honourable Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly of the affected states to take over the governance of their respective states pending the conduct of fresh governorship elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Inspector-General of Police and other law enforcement agencies have been directed to put in place, appropriate security measures to ensure orderly transition and to avoid any breach of the peace.
The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to the observance of the rule of law in all parts of the federation and therefore calls on the political leadership in the affected states to give full effect to the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
Our corrupt governors, u have been removed by corrupt leaders, in a corrupt country.