Lauds
l,The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Epe Branch has lauded the Lagos State
House of Assembly, stakeholders of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and more
importantly the national leader of the party Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the
peaceful resolution of the impeachment saga that has trailed Governor Akinwunmi
Ambode for weeks.
In
a Press Conference which held at the Epe High Court on Monday, February 4, the
Chairman of the association, Prince Abimbola Sunday Abimbola acknowledged the
maturity with which the imbroglio was resolved, describing the wisdom of the
national leader at resolving the crisis as exemplary.
“This
Press Conference is aimed at appreciating the Lagos State House of Assembly for
its resolution of the crisis between it and the state governor, Akinwunmi
Ambode.”
“While
we acknowledge the fact that the plan to start impeachment process was public
knowledge within the print and and electronic media, NBA, Epe is grateful
to all members of the House of Assembly, the Speaker, and in particular the
national leader of the the APC Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the wisdom used in
resolving the issue.”
“Though
we believe that a permanent solution has been found to the issues leading to
the threat of impeachment, NBA Epe would want to categorically state that while
it appreciate the fact that this is not a temporary measure or a political
settlement, it will not waste any time in seeking legal redress in a court of
competent jurisdiction if the issue arises again,” Abimbola said while addressing
a cross section of journalists after the Press Conference.
Calling
the attention of the House of Assembly to a conflict in the state’s
constitution, NBA Epe asked the house to painstakingly address the lacuna in
section 122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as
amended) and section 22 of the Finance (Control and Management) Law of Lagos
State with respect to how the Governor can spend part of the Appropriation Bill
before same is passed into Law by the House of Assembly.
Section
122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended)
states that:
“If
the Appropriation Bill in respect of any financial year has not been passed
into law by the beginning of the financial year, the Governor may authorise the
withdrawal of moneys from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the purpose of
meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the services of the Government for a
period not exceeding six months or until the coming into operation of the law,
whichever is earlier”
Abimbola emphasised that following the recent
crisis in the House of Assembly; a better understanding of this law can’t be
over emphasised.
