The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has warned Zamfara state governor, Bello Muhammad and the state assembly that any attempt to impeach the deputy governor, Mahdi Aliyu is an invitation to crisis.
This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson of the party, Debo Ologunagba on Saturday.
According to the party, the “illegal process of impeachment despite a subsisting order of the Federal High Court, Abuja in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/ 650/2021 portends grave implication for peace and security not only in Zamfara state but the entire Northwest region as well as the continued sustenance of democracy in our country.”
Read the statement below:
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the strongest terms cautions the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Muhammad for stoking and inducing violence in the State by orchestrating and manipulating the State House of Assembly to commence an illegal and undemocratic process of impeachment against the democratically elected Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau.
“This illegal process of impeachment despite a subsisting order of the Federal High Court, Abuja in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/ 650/2021 portends grave implication for peace and security not only in Zamfara State but the entire North West region as well as the continued sustenance of democracy in our country.
“It is clear that this panic move by Governor Muhammad is induced by his realization that the mandate of the PDP which he stole away into the APC is at the verge of being recovered through the legal processes of the court and restored to the Deputy Governor; he, having violated the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) in recklessly moving to the APC when there is no division in the PDP.
“Governor Muhammad should note that the people of Zamfara State are solidly with the Deputy Governor, who enjoys large political following in the State as the custodian of the PDP mandate after Matawalle’s infamous defection to the APC. As such, any action against the Deputy Governor amounts to a direct assault on the Will of the people which they will firmly resist.
“Any attempt therefore to strip the Deputy Governor of the mandate of the people on the grounds of baseless and unfounded allegations is a recipe for serious crisis that can result in the complete breakdown of law and order in the State.
“The State House of Assembly is therefore cautioned not to allow itself to be pitched against the people and destroy the State because of the bloated ego of Governor Muhammad whose political career is at its twilight.
“Governor Muhammad must know that the people of Zamfara State cannot allow his personal frustration and ego to be exchanged for their mandate which is now embodied in the Deputy Governor.
“The PDP calls on the Inspector General of Police to note how Governor Muhammad out of frustration has constituted himself into a security threat in Zamfara State and the entire North West region, where he is now threatening the lives of members of the PDP and other well-meaning citizens of Zamfara State.
“Our Party alerts Nigerians of how Governor Muhammad has been hounding members of the Zamfara State Working Committee of the PDP particularly, our State Deputy Chairman, Prof. Kabiru Jabaka, who has been forced to relocate out of the State over threats to his life.
“Moreover, the PDP notes with consternation, Governor Matawalle’s well-known connections and negotiations with bandits and terrorists and calls on Nigerians to hold him responsible should any harm befall our party members in the State.
“The PDP calls on President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC to immediately call Governor Muhammad to order and ensure that this action which is a great assault on democracy especially the principle of Separation of Powers and peaceful co-existence in Zamfara State is halted forthwith.
“In any case, Governor Muhammad must be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order which can result to bloodshed in Zamfara State for which he can also be personally held liable even beyond the shores of Nigeria as the world is watching,” the statement reads.
