Shuaibu’s impeachment: Constitutional somersault imminent – Ahiakwo warns

A lawyer and public analyst, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has expressed fear that the impeachment of deputy governor of Edo State, Comrade Philip Shuaibu, by the state House of Assembly, if not handled well, will challenge the national constitution.

In a statement he issued in Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, Justice Ahiakwo said, “The adherence to the rule of law to maintain the stability and integrity of the nation’s democratic system is called into question, as Section 188 (10) of the Constitution is not an explicit reason to remove the deputy governor.

“Unless this atrocity is checked, the nation’s political landscape will be replete with constitutional somersault.”

Ahiakwo said that the Edo State crisis, which prompted the impeachment of Shuaibu, is a litmus test for the application and interpretation of Nigeria’s constitutional law.

“Although Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides for the removal of either a governor or a deputy governor, the show of political strength between the Edo State governor and his estranged deputy has inappropriately invoked the provisions of the constitution, using the process stipulated therein to ventilate undue vengeance.

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“A close view of the melodrama that has ensued in Edo State can best be described as a vendetta against the deputy governor. It is only on serious issues and in very rare situations that the process of impeachment can be considered.”

Ahiakwo insisted that there was nothing substantial to warrant the removal of the deputy governor, as the process was without detailed context.

According to him, Shuaibu was not given a fair hearing, adding that even the process lacked transparency.

“And because of the overbearing influence of the governor, the machinery set was potentially abused.

“Mr. Shuaibu was not found wanting in any serious misconduct or abuse of office, no specific bribery complaint, corruption, treason, or other high crimes and misdemeanors were established against him.

“His only offense within the public domain is his aspiration to succeed his boss; and determination to contest in the forthcoming Edo State governorship election.”