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| •Governor Abubakar Badaru |
Tension is heightening in Jigawa State over alleged plan by the House of Assembly to impeach Governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar.
Sources said the impeachment was one of many options to confront the
governor for alleged illegal sale of a landed property belonging to the
state that is domiciled in Lagos.
governor for alleged illegal sale of a landed property belonging to the
state that is domiciled in Lagos.
It was only last week that the House of Assembly commenced
investigation with a view to probe the governor over what they
described as “illegal approval given to 27 local government councils of
the state to purchase primary schools furniture.”
investigation with a view to probe the governor over what they
described as “illegal approval given to 27 local government councils of
the state to purchase primary schools furniture.”
Sources said the purchases were not captured in the 2017 fiscal year budget.
Speaking to journalists, yesterday, in Dutse, the Member representing
Dutse Constituency, Musa Sule, who is also the Chairman, House
Committee on Appropriation, said the governor illegally sold a plot of
land belonging to the state that was located in Lagos and in its place
bought a house which was furnished with a view to serve as government
lodge.
Dutse Constituency, Musa Sule, who is also the Chairman, House
Committee on Appropriation, said the governor illegally sold a plot of
land belonging to the state that was located in Lagos and in its place
bought a house which was furnished with a view to serve as government
lodge.
He said the deal was illegal because the process of disposing and
acquiring the two properties contravened the stipulated laws as
enshrined in the constitution.
acquiring the two properties contravened the stipulated laws as
enshrined in the constitution.
Sule alleged that the transaction took place when the deputy governor, who is a lawyer, was in acting capacity.
“We were baffled for such process to be effected under his (deputy
governor’s) watch, after knowing full well it was illegal to carry out
such transaction without referring to the assembly.
governor’s) watch, after knowing full well it was illegal to carry out
such transaction without referring to the assembly.
“We are talking of a property that was sold. It is a plot of land in
Lagos. It was sold and a house was bought. We learnt that it was
furnished and it will serve as government lodge in Lagos.
Lagos. It was sold and a house was bought. We learnt that it was
furnished and it will serve as government lodge in Lagos.
“We felt it was an insult on our part because we have heard how some other executives go about it on cases like this,” he said.
“We are going to do things accordingly, but all the same, we have
drawn their attention to what they have done. It is a breach of the
constitution and that may warrant anything, even impeachment,” he added.
drawn their attention to what they have done. It is a breach of the
constitution and that may warrant anything, even impeachment,” he added.
It was also gathered that as at the time of filing this report, the
governor and all the members of the House of Assembly were in a meeting
behind closed doors at the government house.
governor and all the members of the House of Assembly were in a meeting
behind closed doors at the government house.
Contacted, the governor’s spokesperson, Bello Zaki, said there was nothing like that. “It is all rumour,” he said.
Daily Trust
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