Processes for removal of president cumbersome, goes beyond political sentiments – Senate spokesperson

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

The spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate, Dr Ajibola Basiru, on Thursday said the process for the removal of the president is a cumbersome one that has not been successfully tested since the 4th republic to the present 9th republic.

He said the president of Nigeria can only be removed with credible evidence that he has violated the provisions of the constitution.

He stated this in Osogbo while delivering a lecture on “The Place of Legislature in a Constitutional Democracy,” at the Press Week of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC) Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

Basiru who represented Osun Central Senatorial District posited that the removal of the president goes beyond interest and political sentiments.

According to him, “removal of the President/Vice-President, arguably is at the apex of constitutional powers conferred on the National Assembly is the power to remove the President/Vice-President. The president or a deputy can be so removed if there is credible evidence of grave infraction of the provisions of the Constitution or a misconduct of such nature that in the opinion of the National Assembly amounts to gross misconduct.

“It is granted that this power has not been successfully tested since the 4th republic to the present 9th republic, however, there have been subtle and overt preliminary attempts to force such debates on the floor of the National Assembly.

“It is a power laced with cumbersome processes that cannot survive the diverse political sentiments and interests within a given democratic dispensation. It remains to be seen whether such power if necessary will be applied in the nearest future.”

The Chief Press Secretary to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, a medical practitioner, Dr Ajayi Amos, and two entrepreneurs, Alh Moshood Oladosu and Mrs Victoria Oyewusi, were considered with awards for their contributions to the development of society in their different fields.

Photo: Olororuwo of Ororuwo, Oba Qamardeen Adeyanju, presenting award of excellence to CPS to Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Ismail Omipidan, SSA to Oyetola on Student Affairs and Social Mobilization, Kehinde Ayantunji, NUJ Chairman in Osun, Wasiu Ajadosu and Motunrayo Ayegbayo of OSBC.