The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned the impeachment of the deputy governor of Zamfara State, Mahadi Aliyu, from office.

The Zamfara State House of Assembly had earlier on Wednesday impeached Aliyu, following the adoption of a motion by Majority Leader, Faruku Dosara (APC -Maradun 1).

Twenty out of the 22 lawmakers present at the plenary on Wednesday, voted in favour of the impeachment and the deputy governor was pronounced impeached.

However, the PDP, while reacting to the impeachment via a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, said the entire process remain “unconstitutional and illegal”.

The main opposition party alleged that the impeachment of Aliyu was masterminded by the governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle.

It added that the Zamfara State House of Assembly has no “constitutional standing” to impeach the deputy governor of the state.

PDP further stated that a Federal High Court had “on July 19, 2021, granted an order directing the maintenance of status quo ante bellum, regarding any action against the deputy governor.”

The statement read: “After an extensive review of the issues, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismisses the claims by the Zamfara State House of Assembly that it has impeached the democratically elected Deputy Governor of the State, His Excellency Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau.

“The purported impeachment of the Deputy Governor Mahdi Aliyu Gusau by the sequestered Zamfara State House of Assembly, which has been annexed by the Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle cannot stand as the entire process remain unconstitutional, illegal and as such a nullity.

“It is instructive to state that by virtue of the Order of the Federal High Court, Abuja in Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/ 650/2021 and pursuant to section 109 (1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) the Zamfara State House of Assembly as presently constituted has no constitutional standing to undertake any legislative action let alone claim to have impeached the Deputy Governor of the State on any ground whatsoever.

“The import of the case is that by virtue of Section 109(1)(g), the members of Zamfara State House of Assembly constitutionally lost their seats when they recklessly cross-carpeted to the All Progressives Congress (APC) when there is no division in the PDP.

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“It is imperative to inform Nigerians that the Federal High Court had on July 19, 2021 granted an order directing the maintenance of status quo ante bellum, regarding any action against the Deputy Governor, which was duly served on the Zamfara State House of Assembly, the Chief Judge of Zamfara State and Governor Bello Matawalle.”

The opposition party continued: “The purported impeachment of the Deputy Governor as induced, orchestrated and choreographed by Governor Matawalle, the Chief Judge of Zamfara State and the Zamfara State House of Assembly is therefore not only an exercise in futility but also an affront to the Rule of Law by the APC and Governor Matawalle.

“It is unfortunate that the Chief Judge of Zamfara State who should be a defender of the Rule of Law will allow herself to be used to desecrate the Order of Court and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which she swore to uphold. The PDP is reviewing the actions of the Chief Judge of Zamfara State in this violent assault on the Rule of Law and will take appropriate actions necessary.

“In any case, the PDP and the people of Zamfara State will not allow the impunity being foisted on Zamfara State to stand and appropriate legal action is being taken in that regard.

“Fortunately, our party has implicit confidence in the judiciary, which has in the past demonstrated its capacity and ability to defend the Constitution and the Rule of Law by reinstating elected public officials who were unconstitutionally and illegally removed from office as was in the case of former Oyo State Governor Rasheed Ladoja as well as that of former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Ali Olanusi.

“The PDP urges the Deputy Governor, His Excellency Mahdi Aliyu Mohammed Gusau not to be deterred by the illegality but remain focused at this critical time.”

TheStar