Tenure Judgement: Adoke Directs Speakers To Take Over Power In Affected States

MR MOHAMMED BELLO ADOKE, SAN.

... Katakata In Kogi As two Acting Governors Emerge

SAN FRANCISCO, January 27, (THEWILL) - The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister for Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke has directed the Speakers of the Houses of Assembly to takeover governance in the 5 states where the Supreme removed the governors from office.

The States are Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River, Kogi and Sokoto.

‘Katakata’ In Kogi As Two Acting Governors Emerge

There are reports of a constitutional crisis in Kogi, where governor-elect, Idris Wada has been sworn in as governor by the President of the State’s customary court.

Wada emerged Governor-elect courtesy of the governorship election conducted in December 2011 by INEC.

The Speaker of the State House of Assembly and Wada had reportedly arrived at government house to be sworn in following the Supreme Court ruling, leaving top government officials confused about how to deal with the situation.

The Chief Judge of the state has however sworn in the Speaker as Acting Governor after a directive from Adoke.
 
The statement issued by Adoke reads:

PRESS RELEASE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA IN REACTION TO THE JUDGMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT RELIEVING THE 5GOVERNORS OF THEIR OFFICE
 
Today, the Supreme Court of Nigeria delivered judgment in the appeal emanating from the judgment of the Court of Appeal in respect of the tenure of the five governors namely Adamawa, Bayelsa, Cross River, Sokoto and Kogi states. The Court decided that the five governors had since completed their tenure and accordingly relieved them of their office.

The Federal Government acknowledges the judgment of the Supreme Court and in line with the provisions of Section 191(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, calls on the Honourable Speakers of the State Houses of Assembly of the affected states to take over the governance of their respective states pending the conduct of fresh governorship elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Inspector-General of Police and other law enforcement agencies have been directed to put in place, appropriate security measures to ensure orderly transition and to avoid any breach of the peace.

The Federal Government of Nigeria remains committed to the observance of the rule of law in all parts of the federation and therefore calls on the political leadership in the affected states to give full effect to the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
 
MR MOHAMMED BELLO ADOKE, SAN, CFR,
HONOURABLE ATTORNEY-GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE.