Plateau LG caretaker appointments, a nullity under the constitution – Sen. Gyang
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Nigerian Senator Istifanus Gyang has said that the recent appointment of APC Chairmanship candidates as caretakers of four Northern Plateau Northern Local Governments is a violation of the constitution, and a “notoriety” in sabotaging democracy.
The State Governor, Simon Lalong according to Senator Gyang has “wrecked havoc” on the constitution he swore to uphold by “unilaterally and unconstitutionally” pronouncing candidates of the ruling APC as “overlords” on B/Ladi, Jos North, Jos South and Riyom LGAs.
“Against clear provisions of the constitution in Section 14(1) which provides that, “the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be based on the principles of democracy and social justice” and Section 7(1) which provides that, “the system of local government by democratically elected local government Councils is under this constitution guaranteed”, Governor Lalong has chosen to persist in violating the constitution and by so doing attaining notoriety in sabotaging democracy,” Gyang said in a press statement through his media aide, Musa Ashoms.
In a democratic setting, the Senator said “there is no objection as to who becomes what irrespective of their religious or ethnic background provided it is in consonance with democratic tenets and practice, the rule of law and constitutionality.”
“Legitimacy under our constitution can never be conferred by fiat. It can only be acquired through the free exercise of citizens franchise.”
Governor Lalong’s action therefore, Gyang said amounts to imposition of illegitimacy and illegality on the 4 LGs.
This he stressed has no justification and is therefore a nullity in keeping with Section 1(3) of the constitution which holds that any law or action arising therefrom that is inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution shall to the extent of the inconsistency be void.
The Senator demanded that the State electoral body should be allowed to ‘immediately’ conduct elections.
“Thereafter, whichever party’s candidates ‘wins’ shall have the constitutional and moral backing to assume office in keeping with democratic tenets and practices prescribed and enshrined in the constitution,” Gyang stated.
