Impeachment Plot Against Governor Aliyu Stopped

The impeachment plot against Aliyu Babangida, the governor of Niger state, has been stalled as the members of the state House of Assembly pushing for the governor’s removal were allegedly paid N17m each. The state government also assured the lawmakers that their other demands would soon be met, The Punch reports. Consequently, the lawmakers have made a decision to stop the impeachment move against the governor.

When contacted, Isah Kawu, the speaker of the state House of Assembly, Isah Kawu, said: “I cannot speak on this issue on the telephone or anywhere on the matter.”

However, one of the lawmakers, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the development.

“It was not as if the governor bribed us, it is our legal entitlements and we have a right to ask for it before the expiration of our tenure. We have been paid and calm has returned to the assembly complex,” he said.

Asked whether it was true that the lawmakers had dropped the impeachment plot against the governor, the lawmaker said that there was no need for it again.

According to another source, who is a worker in the House of Assembly complex, each of the lawmakers was paid N17m as part of the allowances they have been owed since February. It brought calm to the complex as the state police command withdrew security operatives from the building.

Last week the lawmakers elected a new leadership of the assembly over a series of allegations including non-implementation of house resolutions, poor staff and members’ welfare and non-release of the statutory allocation to the assembly for months. This was allegedly done to pave the way for the removal of the governor.

The governor, in his turn, applied to the court where he secured an order to restrain the legislators from making any move to impeach him. Shortly after, the House of Assembly was occupied by security operatives who prevented the members from entering the complex to perform their duties.