TRACKING____Sequel to the Monday’s directive to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State by the Attorney General and Justice Minister Mallam Abubakar Malami that he should reverse the sack of the local government chairmen elected during the administration of Senator Abiola Ajimobi, the Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the statement as unexpected of the Number One legal officer of the federation.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Engineer Akeem Olatunji, in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan noted that Nigeria is practicing federalism and not a unitary system of government.
“Rather than poke his nose into the internal affairs of Oyo State, Mr Abubakar Malami should be more concerned about Federal Government’s various disregard of judiciary pronouncements and lack of respect for rule of law.
“Nigeria as a federation is governed by Constitution not by a decree fiat and it is not anybody’s fault that the drafters of Nigerian Constitution put the control, legislation and supervision of the local governments under the purview of the State governments through the various State Houses of Assembly.
“What the present Attorney General of the Federation, Malam Abubakar Malami and his APC cohorts are trying to achieve is purely 2023 political agenda similar to attempt by former Attorney General, Mr Akin Olujimi (SAN), to stop federal allocations meant for Lagos State through executive fiat.
“Nigeria as a country is practising federalism not a unitary system of government, hence the needs for separation of power and avoidance of ridiculous action that can jeopardize the image of Nigeria within the comity of nations.
“Furthermore, the Supreme Court judgement delivered by Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais, CJN, on 10th of December 2004 stated clearly that pursuant to section 162 (5) of the Constitution; if the President or any of his agents has any grievances or whatsoever with any tier of government, he should go to court.”
