Govt restores Dariye to office, lifts emergency rule
From Isa Abdulsalami and Florence Oretude, Jos
ALL democratic structures suspended in Plateau State on May 18 this year, courtesy of a Federal Government order, have been restored from today.
And these include the office of the governor, Joshua Chibi Dariye, whom the federal authorities want impeached over allegations of financial misconduct and false declaration to the Code of Conduct Bureau.
The development was conveyed in a letter to Dariye by the Secretary to the Federal Government of Nigeria, Chief Uffot Ekaette.
President Olusegun Obasanjo, had on May 18, 2004, imposed emergency rule on the state for a renewable six month duration over a long-drawn ethnic and religious strife among its indigenes.
The emergency rule terminates today.
In the letter to Dariye, entitled: "Re: state of emergency," Ekaette said that President Obasanjo had approved an end to the emergency rule.
The government added: "Arguments have been adduced for and against the extension of the state of emergency. However, considering the circumstances, which led to the proclamation, the situation that prevailed during the period, the uneasy calm that now prevails need to be nurtured and strengthened and hoping that all concerned, including your good self and the Plateau State House of Assembly have learnt their lesson, the President has resolved not to extend the emergency."
The Federal Government urged Dariye to "step up" reconciliation efforts "until Plateau State is restored to its glory as haven of peace, tranquillity and friendship"
Ekaette added: "It is hoped that nothing will be done advertently or inadvertently to undermine the security and stability in Plateau State, let alone allowing such a situation to spill over into other parts of the country."
The letter was copied to the Senate President, House of Representatives Speaker, outgoing administrator of the state, Maj-Gen. Chris Alli, whose term ends today and the chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Audu Ogbeh.
Following Dariye's questioning by British policemen over sums allegedly found on him and traced to eight bank accounts, allegedly owned by the governor, President Obasanjo had in a November 10 letter to Ogbeh, described Dariye's matter a moral burden.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Akin Olujinmi has already written to the Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Simon Lalong, detailing the governor's alleged crimes in the hope that impeachment proceedings would be initiated against him.
The Federal Government has already asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to remove the governor from office, on account of the allegations.
But some prominent citizens, including indigenes of the state, urged the President to allow due process in dealing with the matter. They all asked the Federal Government to restore all democratic structures after which a proper investigation of the allegations could begin.
Alli, the former administrator, yesterday expressed joy that he achieved his mandate of restoring peace to the once "frightful zone of death."
In a farewell broadcast yesterday, Alli described the period as memorable. He also listed his achievements, but declared that they did not come on a platter of gold.
He particularly praised the people for giving him the opportunity to serve them and accomplish the mandate of the Federal Government within the stipulated time.
Alli remarked that the state had taken a giant leap in the pursuit of peace and tranquillity.
He noted that the feat was due to the combination of factors such as Divine intervention, hard work, sincerity of purpose, encouragement and support from all the stakeholders.
The former administrator said from the outset of his assignment, he made three important supplications to God in the search for the way forward.
He said: "The first supplication was to God for guidance and wisdom. The second was to the people of Plateau State for understanding and support. The third was to myself, friends and the family for patience and prayers.
"My dear people of Plateau State, the good news is that I received overwhelming response to all my supplications. This has made my brief stay on the Plateau historic and eventful", he stated.
Alli regretted that the state had gone through the hard and rough road, which caused incalculable damage to the psyche of the people. He said the situation could have been avoided if the conflicts were properly managed.
According to him, "these conflicts were not immediately contained as a result of the failure of institutional mechanism to perform their role."
He stressed the importance of dialogue in achieving peaceful co-existence, stressing that the greatest honour the people of the state would ever accord him was to maintain law and order, put the past behind them.
And in the exercise of his prerogative of mercy and after due consultation with the Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy, Alli has ordered the unconditional release of 25 prisoners in the state.
A breakdown showed that eight prisoners were released from Jos Prisons, two (Shendam), Seven (Lamingo), four (Langtang) and four from Pankshin Prisons.
Those who regained their freedom are Musa Yusuf, Amos Pam, Julius Yusuf, Ishaya Achi, Gipowe Bako, Paul Simon, and John Joseph from Jos Prisons. Mr. Tsenba Magaaaji, Danlami Bala were freed from Shendam prisons while Alhassan Usman, Bele Sale, Sendi Peter, Nimzey Useni, Sarajo Suleman, Monday Tamak, Ikechukwu Uzechukwu, Awalu Suleman left Lamingo Prisons. Mr. Waploh Zakari, Ibrahim Audu, Danjuma Lakat, John Kassandur are to leave Langtang Prisons while Nengie Ayuba, Lokgam Luka, Musa Adamu and Ezekiel Marin will bid farewell to Pankshin Prisons.
The statement on the release of the prisoners was signed by the Director of Press Affairs to the Administrator, Mr. Ezekiel Dalyop.
A statement by six royal fathers and seven political chairmen in the state emphasised support for the Federal Government's decision to keep to today's expiration of emergency rule in Plateau State as pledged by President Obasanjo.
The state reiterated that the joint meeting by the council chiefs and political chairmen resolved to sustain the hard-earned peace in the state during the emergency rule.
Present at the occasion were Gbong Gwom Jos, Dr Victor Pam, Ngo long Ngas Nde Joshua Dimlong, Long Gamai Miskoom Hubert Shaledas, Long Tehl Barr Donald Puntel, Mishakaham Mgahavul Da Nelson Bunfur and Emir of Wase Dr. Haruna Abdullahi.
The other signatories include the chairmen of the PDP, the Alliance for Democracy (AD), the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Justice Party (JP).
Also, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday called for due process of law on the issue of alleged corruption against Governor Dariye.
A statement by its President, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN) said: "The NBA is concerned about media reports, which reveal clandestine efforts by some people in high quarters fishing for reasons to stop the return of Governor Dariye of Plateau State to office. The NBA condemns such efforts.
"The NBA believes that the issues involved in the declaration and lifting of the state of emergency in Plateau State are not directly related to the alleged or perceived corruption of Governor Dariye. The issue of corruption by the governor should be tackled under due process.
"The NBA looks forward to the return of law and the institution of democracy in Plateau State today. The decisions whether or not to extend or lift the state emergency must be based on constitutional provisions. In this regard, the Federal Government and the National Assembly must take into consideration the views, comments and reports of independent individuals and institutions, rather than persons who would benefit from any extension. Anything to the contrary will be inimical to the success of our nascent democratic experiment."
The NBA also commented on Anambra crises saying: "The association also condemned the acts and wanton destruction of lives and property in Anambra State" and urged the police to "bring to book all the culprits involved in the despicable acts."
On the removal of the Chief Judge of Oyo State from office, the NBA expects "that the governor and indeed government of Oyo State will follow due process in this regard. The provisions of the 1999 Constitution are quite explicit on how a Chief Judge can be removed. The NBA wishes to commend the National Judicial Council and the Chief Justice of Nigeria for the action taken thus far."
|
