Oyo LG dissolution: PDP replies Malami, Says Nigeria not a unitary system of government
The Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party has described the statement credited to the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Mallami, as unexpected of the number one legal officer of the Federation.
A statement made available to Mouthpiece NGR on Tuesday by the party publicity secretary, Engineer Akeem Olatunji stated that Nigeria is a country practicing federalism and not a Unitary system of government.
Malami had on Monday directed Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde including other governors to reverse themselves over the dissolution of local government administration in the State.
Reacting to the statement, Olatunji said “Rather than poke nose into the internal affairs of Oyo State, Mr Abubakar Malami should be more concerned about Federal Government’s various disregard of judiciary pronouncements and lack of respect for rule of law.”
“Nigeria as a federation is governed by constitution not by a decree fiat and it’s not anybody’s fault that the drafters of Nigerian Constitution put the control, legislation and supervision of the local governments under the purview of the State governments through the various State House of Assemblies.”
“What the present Attorney General of the Federation, Malam Abubakar Malami, and his APC cohorts are trying to achieve is purely 2023 political agenda similar to attempt by former Attorney General, Mr Akin Olujimi, SAN, to stop Federal allocations meant for Lagos State through executive fiat.”
“I want to reiterate that no where in the 1999 Constitution is the President or his agents given the power to withhold funds due to States or Local Government Councils or even the National Judicial Council by virtue of the provision of Section 162 subsection (9) thereof. In other words the President has no supervisory power over the state and the local government councils.”
“Nigeria as a country is practising federalism not a Unitary system of government, hence the needs for separation of power and avoid ridiculous action that can jeopardize the image of Nigeria within the comity of Nations.”
“Furthermore, the Supreme Court judgement delivered by Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, CJN, on 10th of December 2004 stated clearly that pursuant to section 162 (5) of the Constitution; if the President or any of his agents has any grievances or whatsoever with any tier of government, he should go to court.
“Oyo State PDP as the ruling party is advising APC in Oyo State to look for their savior elsewhere as Mr Abubakar Malami is not constitutionally empowered to assist them in foisting illegality on the good people of Oyo State at the grassroots level.
“Hence, the Caretaker Chairmen across the 33 Local Councils and 35 LCDAs are enjoined to face the herculean task before them and disregard the former illegal Chairmen who are merely seeking attention.