By Suzan Edeh, Bauchi
The Arewa Youths for the Sustainance of Democracy and Good Governance (AYSDGG) has condemned the action of the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, over the appointment of Hon. Lawal Sama’ila Abdullahi Yakawada as the Chairman of All Boards of Commissions under the Federal Ministry of Regional Development
The group described as illegal and unconstitutional the appointment of Yakawada, saying that it violates the act that established the Development Commissions.
The Coordinator of the group Engineer Aliyu musa Aliyu. Flanked by the secretary Lawal Abdullahi secretary Stakeholders and other officials of the Association stated this during a Press conference at Chartwell Hotel Bauchi .
Aliyu said that thd Commissions were established by law and until the act is amended by the National Assembly, no one has the power to go outside the act that established them.
Aliyu explained that the unilateral appointment of Chairman of Regional Development Commissions by the Minister, without a proper legal and constitutional authority, is unconstitutional, null and void.
He said that such an appointment is tantamount to a usurpation of Presidential and National Assembly powers under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the enabling Acts establishing the respective Commissions.
The Coordinator said that the unilateral appointment violated the principles of separation of powers and due process under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermines transparency, federal character and good governance.
He said that the enabling laws establishing the Regional Development Commission vested appointment powers in the President subject to Senate confirmation, not the Minister.
Aliyu called on the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), security agencies, law enforcement agencies, the media,Civil Society Organisations among others to defend the law of the land by ensuring that the Development Commissions which provides succour and rebuilding the regions are not gagged through undue appointments.
He called on the minister to follow the path of honour and reverse his decision or they will be left with no option than to challenge the matter through all legal means.
The group appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to call the minister to order as a mark of respect to the rule of law.