Ekiti Speaker impeachment, rape of democracy – Ajimobi, CJN

The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, has described
the removal of the Ekiti State House of Assembly
Speaker, Adewale Omirin, by minority lawmakers as a
rape of democracy.
The governor, who spoke at the 60th anniversary of the
Ibadan Bar on Tuesday, also frowned on the invasion of
the National Assembly by policemen and the use of military
personnel during election.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud
Mohammed and the President, Nigerian Bar
Association, Mr. Austin Alege, (SAN) were also at the
event.
Ajimobi said there was the need for all players on the
political scene to abide by the rules of the game in the
interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, particularly as the 2015
elections drew near.
“All organs of government should play their roles within
the bounds of the law and constitutional principles. As a
governor sworn to an oath of allegiance to uphold the
constitution of our land and as a law-abiding citizen of this
country, I bear a responsibility to respect the law and the
constitution, as well as to express my displeasure whenever
the law or the constitution is being violated. This is a duty
that every citizen of this country must not shy away from,
if we want this democracy to endure and thrive,’’ he said.
The governor said that legal practitioners, more than other
professionals, must appreciate the dangers inherent in an
environment where the constitution was being infringed
upon and that the Ibadan Bar, being the conscience of
other branches in the country, should take the lead.
“The Ibadan Bar has come a long way with unparallel
achievements in the advocacy of respect for human rights,
good governance and corruption-free society. It is against
this background that I wish to state that this Bar cannot
afford to stand aloof in the face of numerous challenges
currently bedevilling our nation.
“Loss of human lives and property on a daily basis as a
result of the Boko Haram insurgency must not elude the
attention of this Bar. Rape on democracy and democratic
norms is an issue that the Ibadan Bar must lead the pack
to speak against in the polity. To my mind, this is another
opportunity for the Ibadan Bar to lend its voice in the
support of democracy and rule of law,’’ Ajimobi said.
The CJN, who was represented by a justice of the
Supreme Court, Justice Ogwuta Nwali, described the
development in Ekiti as an affront on the nation’s
constitution which political office holders had sworn to
protect in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The NBA President in his own remark expressed
dissatisfaction with the police invasion of the National
Assembly, stressing that such an act was an unnecessary
interference in the activities of the legislative arm of
government.

Source:punch