(Updated) The All Progressives Congress has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to show better understanding of democracy by immediately restoring the police security details the Inspector General of Police unlawfully withdrew from the Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Rt Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party described the announcement of the withdrawal of the Speaker’s security details by the Inspector General of Police as a usurpation of the role of the Judiciary by the Inspector General of Police especially bearing in mind that the question of the interpretation of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution on which the Inspector General of Police anchored his illegal act is currently before the courts for resolution.
The party said for avoidance of doubt the position including the manner a person becomes the Speaker of the House of Representatives is to be found in the Constitution, and no constitutional provision or legislation says membership of the ruling or dominant party in the House is a pre-requisite. Furthermore as the number four citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria the security detail and apparatus attached to the person of the Speaker is not based on his lineage, person and or political leaning. It is on account of the position and the protection required for that position and in Nigeria’s best interest.
This unfortunate use and deployment of Nigeria’s security forces in a partisan and political way portends danger and further weakens important institutions of governance and jeopardizes national security. Under President Jonathan, we now have a Police Force that is monitoring and making conclusions with respect to party membership, qualification, of an otherwise elected official. This is unheard of in any decent democracy.
It is unfortunate, the party noted that President Jonathan who had been a successive long term and unique beneficiary of our democracy and Constitution is now demonstrating the greatest disregard for the laws that govern and guide us as a people. President Jonathan who is the only individual who benefited from the same Constitution to become a Governor from a Deputy Governor without an election and from a Vice President to President in similar legal circumstances now desecrates the same Constitution.
“The All Progressives Congress rejects this challenge to democracy and modern society. We reject President Jonathan’s illegality and call for respect and compliance with the law. We reject this meddling in the affairs of the Legislature especially given the resolution of President Jonathan and his close advisers yesterday at their meeting to ask the Deputy Speaker Mr Emeka Ihedioha to unlawfully reconvene the House before the adjourned date.
Despite the protests by APC,it appears the Presidency and the PDP are determined to oust Tambuwal as Speaker,House of Representatives.Two clear events point in that direction.First ,the PDP asked him to do the “needful” ,that is resign after his defection.Second, the order by the acting Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba on Thursday withdrawing Tambuwal’s police aides clearly points the fact that the battle to deal with the speaker has already gone beyond PDP.
Can Tambuwal weather the storm?His supporters point to the fact that he emerged as Speaker actually in spite of PDP.Perhaps Nigerians should expect more intriguing twists and turns in the days and months ahead.
