Impeachment Saga: Governor Nyako Declares Public Holiday
The move to impeach Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Murtala Nyako, took a
dramatic turn on Sunday as the governor declared Monday and Tuesday as
work-free days in the state. The governor’s opponents in the state House
of Assembly said Nyako’s action was an attempt to frustrate his
impeachment.
The governor was said to have played a fast one on his opponents following indications that the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, might inaugurate on Monday the seven-member panel he set up on Friday to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the governor and his deputy, James Ngilari.
The lawmakers accused Nyako of mischief, vowing that the governor and his deputy could not stop the state acting chief judge.
But a statement on Sunday by Nyako’s Chief of Staff, A. Abba, said:
The governor was said to have played a fast one on his opponents following indications that the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, might inaugurate on Monday the seven-member panel he set up on Friday to investigate the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against the governor and his deputy, James Ngilari.
The lawmakers accused Nyako of mischief, vowing that the governor and his deputy could not stop the state acting chief judge.
But a statement on Sunday by Nyako’s Chief of Staff, A. Abba, said:
“His Excellency, Governor Murtala Nyako, has approved Monday, July 7 and
Tuesday, July 8 as work-free days in Adamawa State. This is to enable
the people of the state to reflect on the current happenings in the
country and to use the period to offer special prayers for peace in the
state and the country.
“The period is to also allow Adamawa workers reflect on their current challenges. It is also a thanksgiving period for the citizens to appreciate God’s protection despite all challenges.”
Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Adamu Kamale, told Punch that the governor was mischievous’ by declaring the public holidays. He said, “The issue now is not before the House. There may be mischief to this in whichever way you look at it. But, already, the (acting) Chief Judge has set up the seven-man panel to investigate the governor and his deputy and there is no way they can block the CJ.
“In addition, praying to God is supposed to be a daily affair as most of our religions are practising it. For two days to be set aside as praying days, well I don’t know his intention. I will have to read the statement, probably I can pick something from it.”
The governor however alleged that the acting chief judge set up the seven-man committee under duress.
Speaking through his Director of Press and Media, Ahmad Sajoh, the governor said that the promoters of the impeachment move were not law-abiding.
“The Acting Chief Judge constituted the panel under duress. If not, how can the same judge who gave a ruling that there was no substituted service, the same judge that gave an order that the process be stopped; be the same judge that set up this panel when he is yet to vacate his earlier order? You know that is not possible,” Sajoh said.
“The period is to also allow Adamawa workers reflect on their current challenges. It is also a thanksgiving period for the citizens to appreciate God’s protection despite all challenges.”
Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Adamu Kamale, told Punch that the governor was mischievous’ by declaring the public holidays. He said, “The issue now is not before the House. There may be mischief to this in whichever way you look at it. But, already, the (acting) Chief Judge has set up the seven-man panel to investigate the governor and his deputy and there is no way they can block the CJ.
“In addition, praying to God is supposed to be a daily affair as most of our religions are practising it. For two days to be set aside as praying days, well I don’t know his intention. I will have to read the statement, probably I can pick something from it.”
The governor however alleged that the acting chief judge set up the seven-man committee under duress.
Speaking through his Director of Press and Media, Ahmad Sajoh, the governor said that the promoters of the impeachment move were not law-abiding.
“The Acting Chief Judge constituted the panel under duress. If not, how can the same judge who gave a ruling that there was no substituted service, the same judge that gave an order that the process be stopped; be the same judge that set up this panel when he is yet to vacate his earlier order? You know that is not possible,” Sajoh said.
