BOARDS INAUGURATION: Call Oshiomhole And Ngige To Order, They Are Acting Unconstitutionally, VATLAD Warns

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Following the recent suspension threat issued to the Minister of Labour and Empowerment, Mr. Chris Ngige by the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Mr. Adams Oshiomhole over the delay in the inauguration of some boards under Ngige’s ministry, the Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD), has faulted the two former governors.

The National Chairman of the ruling Progressives Congress, Adams Oshiomhole, had on Monday, threatened to suspend the Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr. Chris Ngige, from the party if he failed to inaugurate the board members of federal agencies and parastatals under his ministry.

Reacting to the development in a statement signed by the national president of VATLAD, Mr. Emmanuel Odafe Igbini, and made available to Journalists, said the Labour Minister, Mr. Chris Ngige must immediately and unconstitutionally swear in the members of board lawfully appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Mr. Igini noted that the national chairman of APC, Adams Oshiomhole has also done well by faulting the unconstitutional action of the Minister, but must limit himself to the powers vested on him as APC national chairman by the constitution of APC which is inferior to 1999 Nigerian constitution, as amended.

“In this instant case, Comrade Oshiomhole should only draw the attention of President Buhari and put pressure on him to ensure the Ministers carry out their constitutional duties. He cannot suspend or punish any Minister or any appointed public officer of Nigeria for failing or refusing to carry out his or her constitutional duties. Never! GOD forbid it happens.

Mr. Igbini reminded all Nigerians that “We are in a constitutionally and representative democracy and must be governed by the 1999 Nigerian constitution, as amended.”

“By provisions of section 1(1-3) of 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, the Constitutions of all Political Parties in Nigeria are inferior to the Nigerian Constitution. Nigeria shall not be governed except in strict accordance with Nigerian Constitution.

“Also the provisions of Nigerian Constitution are binding on APC and other political parties, and any law or act of APC or any political party that is inconsistent with the Nigerian Constitution is to the extent of the inconsistency, null and void and of no effect.

“By sections 5, 147, 148 and 149 of 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended, the appointment of a Minister for Nigeria is constitutionally made only by the President of Nigeria and confirmed by the Senate of Nigeria. Not by any political party at all!

“Also the removal of any Minister of Nigeria from Office can only be done by the President of Nigeria or by virtue of end of tenure of the President. Certainly not by any political party.

“By the provisions of sections 5(1a) and 148(1), it is also Constitutionally mandatory for all Ministers of Nigeria to carryout all lawful duties assigned to them by the President of Nigeria; such duty includes the immediate and unconditional swearing in of members of Boards duly appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, where statutorily required.

“It is not for Ministers to choose for whatever reason, to swear in or not, members of Boards in the Ministries they superintend over. To do so is to disrespect and disobey the President of Nigeria which should be punished.

“Also, any attempt by any Political Party to officially and publicly query a Minister of the Nigeria for not carrying out his or her constitutional duty amounts to attempt to usurp the constitutional powers of the President of Nigeria and a dangerous move to control and govern Nigeria in a manner that is in gross violation of Section 1(2) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, as amended.” Igbini stated.

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