Ousted governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, has expressed satisfaction with the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja nullifying the alleged his former deputy, Bala Ngilari.
The court ordered that Mr. Ngilari be sworn in to office to replace the acting governor, Umar Fintiri.
In a statement by his media aide, Ahmad Sajoh, the former governor said the judgement was “a further testimony that the entire process associated with his purported impeachment saga had been just series of acts characterised by extreme illegality and political brigandage.”
Mr. Nyako, who has been outside the country since his ouster from office, had faulted the procedure of Mr. Ngilari resignation. He had said his erstwhile deputy ought to have addressed his resignation letter to him (Nyako) and not the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
The court faulted the procedure in the judgement and ordered that the former deputy governor be sworn in.
“Buoyed by a system that promotes impunity and abuse of all legal and constitutional procedures, the law makers in Adamawa State took it upon themselves to abuse all known legal norms to enthrone a regime anchored on illegalities,” Mr. Nyako said.
Noting that the judgement was the first step towards correcting the wrongs of the House of Assembly, the statement said the governor was confident that the Nigerian judiciary would further confirm the injustices associated with his purported removal was done in a manner akin to coup d’tat.
The statement said, “We wish to observe that this is the first step in the judicial process of correcting the wrongs of the Adamawa State House of Assembly. We are confident that the Nigerian judiciary will further confirm the injustices associated with the purported removal of Governor Murtala Nyako which was done in a manner akin to a civilian coup d’état.
“The process of the reversal of all the series of illegalities connected with the supposed impeachment saga has only just commenced and will continue until it culminates with the return of Governor Nyako to Government House, Yola.”
The former governor congratulated Mr. Ngilari on the judgement and advised him to take up the responsibilities of his new office with his famed patience and humility.
“He should be mindful of the nature of Adamawa State as a diverse and plural society and therefore rule the people with justice, fairness and the fear of God,” the statement added.
“The new Governor is further advised to heal the deep wounds of mistrust and mutual suspicion inflicted on the people of the state by the illegal government of the Acting Governor.”
The former governor, whose tenure would have expired in May next year, called on the people of Adamawa State “to remain calm, law abiding and to extend all necessary support to the new leadership and to wish Barr Bala Ngillari success and God’s guidance in his new assignment.
“We also call on the people to pray for the new Governor and the State so that peace will be restored and the State returned to the path of progress, harmony and peaceful co-existence.
“We equally wish to assure the good people of Adamawa State that God willing, and in no too distant future, the Courts will return Admiral Murtala Nyako as the Governor of Adamawa State.”
Source: Premium Times
