The Conference of Speakers of State Houses of Assembly has strongly condemned the growing wave of nationwide impeachment moves against Speakers of the various state legislatures purportedly sponsored by their governors.
In a statement issued in Abuja, chairman of the conference, Hon. Sam Ikon, who is the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, observed with dismay the unhealthy trend of flagrant disrespect for constitutionally laid down procedure in removing some Speakers and other principal officers of the state assemblies in the country.
According to him, “The conference is not unaware of the impeachment as guaranteed by the constitution to guard against abuse of power and tyrannical tendencies. The conference however condemns in a strong term a complete deviation from the constitutional procedure to remove a Speaker or any Principal Officer as have been embarked upon by some state assemblies”.
The speakers explained that it was deeply concerned by this spate of disrespect for rule of law that is almost a norm in the polity, stating that, “we are afraid no meaningful development will be achieved if this ugly trend is not checked as it portends a serious threat to our democracy.
“Most recently, in some states such as Adamawa and Enugu State Houses of Assembly have been in the news where purported impeachments of their Speakers were reportedly carried out in ways and manners that were contrary to the constitutional provisions. We regard such purported impeachments as a nullity as their procedures were short of due process.
“The ugly developments have already resulted in factions in those state assemblies and will consequently have adverse effects on the governance in such states”.
While condemning such unconstitutional removal of Speakers, the conference warned the people fanning the ember of such illegality to respect the rule of law lest the country is thrown into anarchy.
Ikon went on to say, “We also condemn a situation whereby personal interests are promoted over and above institutional interests. State Houses of Assembly as an arm of government should be seen as such and no individual interest should be placed above it.
“We therefore call on the stakeholders particularly the lawmakers to play the game by its rules in order to ensure political stability and good governance in the interest of all,” he noted.
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