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Plot to stop Dariye thickens
MUSA SIMON REEF and JUDE OWUAMANAM
nst the return of Governor Joshua Chibi Dariye of Plateau State have reportedly finally resolved to work on members of the National Assembly towards recommending the conduct of bye-elections for the state at the end of the emergency rule.
Forces are also said to be pushing for an explicit ban of the ex-governor from contesting the elections that have been proposed for in February, next year.
Sources within and outside the National Assembly reliably confided in Sunday Punch last Thursday that the recourse to the federal legislature followed their inability to convince members of the suspended Plateau State House of Assembly on the need to commence impeachment moves against him once the emergency rule imposed on the state on May 18, 2004, is lifted at the expiration of the six months.
Convinced that the state lawmakers had resolved not to act the script of blocking the return of the governor and his deputy, Dariye�s opponents were said to have gone back to the drawing board towards evolving a fresh strategy that could seal his hope of regaining his seat.
�It is very clear that the National Assembly has the sole responsibility of making laws for Plateau State. Now that the suspended lawmakers have refused to move against Dariye, the only option left for us is to mount pressure on the National Assembly.
�The move, which is gathering momentum, is aimed at removing the carpet off the feet of the suspended lawmakers, who have sworn that they would never co-operate with external forces to make them impeach Governor Dariye,� a source revealed.
But sympathisers of the suspended governor are not resting on their oars as they have virtually relocated to Abuja to stave off the grand plot of the anti-Dariye forces, said to be enjoying the subtle support of some national leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
A senator from Plateau, according to a source, had openly vowed that no matter what it was going to cost him, he was prepared to stall any move to return Dariye to the Government House.
Sources hinted that the governor had even got wind of the plot against him, thus causing an uneasy calm among his top aides.
One of his aides, who pleaded anonymity, said the current plots spearheaded by the enemies of the suspended governor had been worrisome, expressing fears that most of them who are actually close to the Presidency might use the privilege to misinform the President Olusegun Obasanjo.
�We are aware that many persons with pecuniary interest are insisting that certain things must be done to frustrate the comeback bid of the governor. But we hold this faith that the truth will finally triumph, no matter how long it takes.
�It is our conviction that our president knows what is right and is able to sift out the falsehood these enemies of democracy may want to pass on to the president. We believe that at the end of the day, the right action will be taken and democratic structures restored,� declared the aide.
Hon. Gambo Ndilamut, Chairman, House Committee on Information, had in an interview with the Sunday Punch last week blown open the alleged plan by the anti-governor�s forces to bribe the suspended lawmakers with the sum of N120 million to impeach Dariye once the state of emergency was lifted.
In an interview with Sunday Punch, the member of the suspended Plateau State House of Assembly reiterated the determination of the lawmakers to abide by the constitution.
�This is not all about Dariye. The issue is that of constitutionality and the defence of the rule of law. We may have our problem, which is normal, but we know that Mr. President would use his wisdom in coming to terms with the truth,� Ndilamut noted.
Contacted over the issue, a Federal lawmaker from Plateau, Hon. John Adamu Longhor in the House told Sunday Punch that the fresh plot to stop Dariye�s return through the National Assembly would fail.
�Was it the National Assembly that elected Dariye as a governor? You should understand that there is an alleged illegality that is being challenged in court. How can the National Assembly effect the removal of the governor many are insisting was not fairly treated?
�I think we should make it point blank to those engaged in pursuing this illegality that it is an exercise in futility. The power to remove the governor of a state is bestowed on the State House of Assembly and not the National Assembly.
�So, whatever we are planning to do, we should take into consideration that there is a law to be followed. I can�t see the possibility of bringing up the removal of the governor to National Assembly. But if that is done, it will be a futile case,� declared Longhor to Sunday Punch.
Sunday PUNCH August 29, 2004
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