Reps warn against removing Jega

The House of Representatives on Tuesday warned the Federal Government against  tampering with the existing “arrangements” for the March 28 general elections,

particularly the removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega.

The House noted that changing the election plans either by further extension of the dates or removing Jega would only lead to a magnitude of violence worse than what was experienced in the aftermath of the 2011 polls.

In a resolution in Abuja, the House drew the attention of the “political class”, the federal government, state governments and security agencies ‎to warnings of unavoidable violence already issued by eminent Nigerians and groups both on the international and local scenes.

The resolution was taken following a motion moved by the Chairman, House Committee on Justice, Mr. Ali Ahmad.

The development came as the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, at a separate session, raised the alarm that the dark days of military coups might return if the country continued to progress in error.

During Tuesday’s plenary, lawmakers also warned that “persons” whose actions would have led to such violence must be held accountable at all judicial levels.

Besides, members made it clear that removing the INEC chairman would be unconstitutional except it secured the approval of two-thirds  of the Senate as prescribed in Section. 157(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

“Such removal can only be achieved when two things happen, viz, (a) his inability to discharge the functions of the office, or (b) for misconduct, as determined by two-thirds of the Senate”, the resolution added.

The Peoples Democratic Party caucus at the House, made spirited attempts to stop the motion but failed.

House Deputy Majority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, raised an objection on the grounds that the motion was “speculative” as there‎ were no evidence suggesting that Jega was about to be removed.

“Nobody is interested in removing Jega; so, we can’t entertain such a speculative motion,” Ogor protested.

But, he was overruled by Tambuwal and the motion was passed in a majority voice vote.

The speaker also did not allow members to debate the motion, a move that earned him murmurs from some PDP lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Tambuwal, while speaking at a meeting with a coalition of civil society bodies, Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, observed that the “signs” of a possible return to dark days in Nigeria were everywhere for all to see.

He stated that apart from alleged plans to use civil service rules to force Jega out of office, the suggestion of an interim government by some groups was “treasonable.”

He said, “Any form of government outside our constitution is a coup.

“Why are the security agencies not charging such persons with treasonable felony?

According to Tambuwal, “some individuals” are bent on ensuring that the elections do not hold or in the alternative, create scenarios that will make the conduct of the polls impossible for INEC.

The speaker, who said “power‎ belongs to God” and him alone decided whom to give, advised the political class against attempting to oppose God and the will of the people.

He spoke further, “Some individuals are not interested in a free and fair process of elections.

“‎You should remember that people voted you into power; if the same people are saying go and rest through a free and fair process, then respect their decision.

“Some persons occupied these offices before we came in. What would have happened if they refused to vacate the offices for us?

“Not up to 10 per cent of Nigerians are politicians‎; what happens to the remaining 90 per cents? In any case, there has to be a country to govern.

“Are we as a nation, ordinarily supposed to be where we are today?”

The CSOs, who were led by Mr. Clement Nwankwo, had earlier raised fears over what they considered to be troubling signs of a possible interference with the democratic process in the country.

The CSOS said  a similar meeting would be held with the President of the Senate, David Mark, and a final round with President Goodluck Jonathan to harp on the dangers of frustrating the democratic processes.

The Punch