My Dear Speaker and House of Assembly Members,
It has become public knowledge your intentions to impeach the Deputy Governor of our Dear State owing to an alleged “act of misconduct” as expressed through a petition read on the floor of the house, during Wednesday’s plenary by no other person but the Majority leader of the House and member representing Ajaokuta State Constituency (APC) Hon. Abdullahi Bello with 21 members out of 25 signing.
While it is the opinion of the House of Assembly to determine as to the nature of what constitutes an act of Gross Misconduct as enshrined in section 188 subsection 11, of the 1999 constitution, I would like to enjoin you and your members to be guided by the spirit, principles and the very intentions of the drafters of the constitution in exercising your constitutional responsibilities, impeachment inclusive.
However, it is my personal believe and off course that of so many in the state that the impeachment to be served against the Deputy Governor, Elder Simon Achuba is as a result of the overwhelming, damning and shocking revelations of Financial recklessness and stealing leveled against the Governor by no other person but his own Deputy who is an integral member of the State Executive Council.
I would like to assume that you and your members are not aware of the Financial recklessness and stealing of public funds by the Governor as alleged by the Deputy Governor, Elder Simon Achuba.
Based on the aforementioned, may I remind you and your members that a very important responsibility of the legislature as enshrined in the constitution is vested on the powers of oversight which enables you and your members act as checks and balances for the executive arm of government in the state. One would have thought that, in view of such powers and in the spirit of good conscience, you and your members would have immediately commenced an investigation into the allegations leveled against the Governor by his own Deputy with the aim of either exonerating him or confirming the allegations; knowing that both of them belong to the same Executive arm of government instead of commencing impeachment against the Deputy. This action of yours, has further created confusion and suggest connivance between the accused Governor and your led House of Assembly against the people of Kogi State as many in the state, myself inclusive are beginning to see your led House of assembly as an extension of the government house controlled by the governor; a mere rubber stamp.
I, and I believe many others in the state view your actions as an abuse of legislative processes and procedures which to me constitute an act of “gross misconduct” in itself; and an attempt to shield the Governor of this very weighty allegations leveled against him by his Deputy.
It is very instructive to note that till date, nobody from the executive arm of government in the state, not the commissioner of finance nor the governor himself has come out openly to deny the allegations as it relates to major financial infractions of money released to the state from federal allocation, Internal Generated Revenue, local government account, Paris clubs, bailout and even borrowings from banks for the effective and smooth running of the state with projects delivery as appropriated by you and your members in parliament. The only response we got was the shameful attempt to reduce this very weighty allegations to a mere political eye service by the Director Media of the Government Mr Kingsley Fanwo in a National television (channels).
May I bring to the knowledge of you and your members that, since the inception of the current administration in the state, it has been from one level of low to the other. A scenario that have turn the state into a laughing stock in the committees of state in Nigeria. What a pity, what a shame. We have never had it this bad.
May i end this letter with an advice and a warning to you and your members as the integrity ( if there is any) of the legislature in the state is at stake. You and your members must tread softly on this issue as it relates to state funds diversion which is criminal in nature as alleged by the Deputy Governor. You and your members must be careful and be appropriately guided in the decisions you make today as posterity will judge your actions. It is in public interest that this issue be handled objectively with sincerity as it portends grave danger for our people and our children unborn. Be reminded, that the good and amiable people of Kogi State are watching keenly the “drama” as it continues to unfold and would resist any attempt by you and your members to cover up this very weighty allegations against the Governor in the guise of “Impeachment” for we are not ignorant of the devices of the “devil” in some of you.
On this note, I would like to wish you and your members a peaceful and successful tenure. Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Long live Kogi State.
Accept my Highest Regards, Please
Hon. Sani Idakwo Philips
Former SDP House of Reps Candidate, Dekina / Bassa Federal Constituency
