According to reports, the impeachment against the Niger State Governor,
Aliyu Babangida, may have been dropped as members of the state House of
Assembly pushing for the governor’s removal have been allegedly paid
N17m each with the additional promise that their other demands would be
met as well.
The N17m is said to be part of the allowances they were owed since February.
The speaker said he couldn't confirm this report.
However, one of the lawmakers said, “It was not as if the governor
bribed us, it is our legal entitlements and we have a right to ask for
it before the expiration of our tenure. We have been paid and calm has
returned to the assembly complex.” So because they had been paid, they
decided against impeaching the Governor, he said.
It will be recalled that last week, the lawmakers had sacked the
leadership of the assembly and elected a new leadership over a series of
allegations including non-implementation of house resolutions, poor
staff and members’ welfare and non-release of the statutory allocation
to the assembly for months. This, it was learnt, was done to pave the
way for the removal of the governor.
To frustrate the lawmakers, the governor had headed for the court where
he secured an order to restrain the legislators from making any move to
impeach him.
The House of Assembly was also occupied by security operatives for so
many days to prevent the members from entering into the assembly complex
to carry out their legislative duties.
Due to this, Kawu had threatened to institute a legal action against the
Niger State Police Commissioner, Mr. Emmanuel Amore, over what he
described as the illegal occupation of the state House of Assembly by
security operatives.
Calm seems to have returned and all seems to be well.
Punch
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