Sagbama LG Chairman’s Removal: Assembly must obey constitution, court orders — Dufugha

Sagbama LG Chairman’s Removal: Assembly must obey constitution, court orders — DufughaMr Francis Dufugha Publisher of the Niger Delta Herald on Wednesday condemned the purported removal of the Sagbama Local Government Area Chairman, Mrs Allen Tangi, by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.It will be recalled that the Assembly on Tuesday approved the removal of Tangi and Sufade Tobi , Vice Chairman of Sagbama LGA over alleged gross misconduct.The speaker of the House Hon Abraham Ingobere who announced this explained that it is in compliance with Section 22 Sub Section 6&7 of the Bayelsa State Administration Law of 2000 .The development followed a petition against the Chairman on issues bothering on non-presentation of the monthly income and expenditure reports of the local government, non-presentation of annual budget before spending and failure to appear before the house. Dufugha described the development as disturbing, particularly if it was carried out despite a subsisting court order restraining action against the council leadership.He said no political office holder or institution was above the Constitution, the judiciary and the law.“If that order was still valid and subsisting at the time of the Assembly’s action, then the issue is no longer merely political,” he said.Dufugha said the development raised serious questions about obedience to judicial orders and respect for the rule of law in a constitutional democracy.He maintained that the legislature was not above the law and warned against selective application of constitutional provisions for political advantage.He also drew attention to Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which provides for vacation of a legislative seat in certain circumstances involving defection.According to him, constitutional provisions should not be invoked against political opponents while being ignored when they affect political allies.Dufugha said a court order remained binding until set aside by a competent court, emphasising that any disagreement with a judicial pronouncement should be addressed through lawful judicial processes.He urged the Assembly to make public any allegations of gross misconduct against Tangi and allow her fair hearing in accordance with due process.He said the people of Sagbama had a legitimate interest in the leadership of their local government and warned that the controversy could further heighten tension in the area.Dufugha challenged the Assembly to demonstrate its independence as an institution of democracy and not give the impression that it was acting as a rubber stamp for any arm or faction of government.He said lawmakers who knowingly violated a valid court order should be prepared to answer the constitutional and legal questions arising from their actions.“Being a lawmaker does not confer immunity from the law. Indeed, lawmakers should be the first to obey the law because they are entrusted with making laws for everyone else,” he said.Dufugha called on the Assembly and other relevant authorities to respect the judiciary and ensure that all actions concerning the Sagbama council leadership complied with the Constitution and other applicable laws.He warned political office holders against placing political expediency above democratic institutions, saying political power was transient while institutions of democracy must endure.“The law must not bend because the powerful are involved,” Dufugha said.Taingi’s ordeal is believed to be tied to her refusal to join Gov Diri and his political allies in defecting to the All Progressives Congress.