EDITORIAL
It is our duty to call the attention of Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle on wrong steps taken to reinstating three Commissioners and Chairman of a commission on Monday.
The step taken by the Governor is in clear contravention of section 192 (1) & (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
In the majority of the opinions of many lawyers interviewed by this Medium, the Governor cannot just wake up and said he has reinstated an appointee without regard to the provision of statutory laws especially the position of the constitution is clear.
In the first instance, the Governor announced the dissolution of all Commissioners via a statement by his spokesperson and according to Barr. Bello idris Galadi “by dissolution it seems as if the commissioners have never existed in the eyes of the law”.
He said if the Governor wanted anyone of the dissolved commissioners back to office it has to be it in conformity with the provision of section 192 (2) of the constitution of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
But it is disheartening to note that the Governor has taken the same steps in reinstating his dissolved Special Advisers who are supposed to undergo same processes of screening and swearing in.
The Governor should as a matter of respecting the constitutional provision reversed his decision of the reinstatement till due process is followed.
We are not against any decision taken by the Governor if in his own judgement it is in conformity with the development of the state,, but that does not mean we should allow him to breach the provision of the constitution in executing his constitutional mandate.
Again, the Governor needed to always get in touch with his legal team whenever he wants to take such a bold decision which has constitutional implications.
The earlier the Governor reversed his decision the better for the interests of the system because we cannot allow our state to be ruled with constitutional mischief and by the number one citizen of the state.
