EDITORIAL
We have raised concern in one of our editorials when Governor Bello Matawalle announced the reinstatement of some commissioners after they were dissolved earlier by the government and many people, especially those within the government misunderstood us, may be for reasons of political inclinations.
But I am sure what happened today at the state house of assembly complex where those three nominees were re-screened is a vindication of our position that the right thing needed to be done.
The concern we raised in our editorial is not about their reinstatement but the procedure, because section 192 (2) & (4) of the constitution 1999 as amended has made the procedure for appointment of state commissioners obviously clear.
In one of our publications in the issue, barrister Ibrahim Ali, the Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Zamfara State branch said:
The power of a State Governor to make appointment to the office of Commissioner of the Government of a state is subject to the provision of Section 192(2) & (4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), that is, if the nomination of such person to the office of a Commissioner is confirmed by the House of Assembly of a State.
If we had chosen to remain silent and allow them to continue signing and issuing executive orders blindly, it would have been disastrous because the nemesis of the law would surely catch up with them.
I think the Governor has taken a good step of retracting his earlier position by subjecting the renominated commissioners to legislative screening and confirmation.
This is now keeping him on the right track, especially if he administers to them the new oath of office and instructs them to declare their assets and liability.
Our position is always for government to do the right thing, especially when it comes to running the government because government is a complete system which has to be run according to ethics and logical conventions.
As for the state legislators, the time has come for you to call the State House of Assembly Speaker, Nasiru Muazu Magarya to order because all indicators have shown that he has sold the independence and neutrality of the state Assembly to the executive Governor for his selfish interests.
And unless state assembly members are willing and ready to do what is necessary and exercise their constitutional duties, the assembly may not see anything good beyond beautification of their edifice.
We congratulate the Governor for bowing to the pressure and for doing the right thing.
