A legal practitioner in Bauchi, Barr. Idrees Gambo has called on
Governor Bala Mohammed of the state to relinquish power to his deputy, senator
Baba Tela, pending when he is fully recovered from the Coronavirus ailment.
The lawyer made this known in a press statement he personally
signed and made available to our correspondent on Thursday in Bauchi.
“Upon the unfortunate situation that befalls the people of
Bauchi State, where the amiable state governor tested positive to the
coronavirus (COVID-19), one expect him to immediately transmit a letter to the
speaker of the Bauchi state house of assembly (BAHA) to confirmed his deputy to
stand in as the Acting Governor”. He said
According to him, by so doing, it will be in accordance with the
letter and spirit of section 190 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria 1999 (as amended)”.
He noted that the section of the constitution provides that
“whenever the Governor is proceeding on vacation or is otherwise unable to
discharge the functions of his office, he shall transmit a written declaration
to the speaker of the house of assembly to that effect”.
Adding that, “and until he transmits to the speaker of the house
of assembly a written declaration to the contrary, the Deputy Governor shall
perform the functions of the Governor as Acting Governor”.
Barr. Gambo maintained that, “in the event that the Governor is
unable or fails to transmit the written declaration mentioned in subsection (1)
of this section within 21 days, the house of assembly shall, by a resolution
made by a simple majority of the vote of the house, mandate the deputy Governor
to perform the functions of the office of the Governor as Acting Governor,
until the Governor transmits a letter to the speaker that he is now available
to resume his functions as Governor.”
The lawyer prayed Allah to grant quick recovery to Governor Bala
Mohammed to continue to pilot the affairs of governance in the best interest of
the good people of Bauchi State.
He however, called on the State Attorney General and
Commissioner of Justice, to advise the people concerned to do the needful,
adding that, “it is always better late than never!
The legal practitioner noted that, “failure to do this will
render every decision made in the absent of the Governor as a nullity, as that
will remain a flagrant disregard to the constitution”.
“May God forbids that to happen in Bauchi State, Nigeria
considering our level of political advancement”. He prayed.
Our correspondent reports that the call is coming few hours
after Governor Bala Mohammed spoke to the people of Bauchi state via a video
circulated on social media.
In the video, the Governor said he is leading the state very
well despite being in isolation since he was tested positive for coronavirus
disease some days ago.
“I am still leading very well, and I appreciate your prayers and
support. I have never known that I have so much love from my people till now,
this isolation has put some burden of responsibility on me, may Allah get us
out of this calamity.” Governor Bala said yesterday in the video.
He assured the people of the state that his administration will
provide them with relief materials to cushion the difficulties they may face at
the critical period of coronovirus disease.
He had also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for the
measures taken to address the current situation, thanked the people of Bauchi
state and Nigerians in general for the love shown to him.
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