BY ONWUASOANYA FCC JONES
The fact that the government of Imo State has chosen to welcome the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Fafowora Bolaji Olaniyi with a situation that may present him as an enforcer of illegality is unfortunate. Cp Fafowora has had a sterling career over the last 33 years of his career as a law enforcement agent, and anyone who wishes to put him in a position that may cast a dent on his career certainly does not wish him well.
Elected LGA chairmen, their deputies and the 645 councillors in Imo State are justifiably insisting on resuming their offices across the various LGAs in the State. Referring to a Supreme Court judgement and a directive by the Chief Justice of the Federation, Tanko Mohammed, the elected officials have decided to reclaim their freely given mandates by going back to their offices.
Governor Ihedioha’s claim that these elected LGA officials are on suspension has been overtaken by the reaffirmation of their Constitutional independence by the Supreme Court. According to the Constitution and bye laws of Imo State, elected officials at the LGA level are entitled to three years tenure and can only be removed from office either by resignation, death, judicial proclamation to such effect or an impeachment by the legislative arm of their various LGAs.
A badly written, venomous press statement by the Secretary to the Imo State Government, Barrister Uche Onyeagucha had insultingly instructed security agencies in the State to stop these LGA officials from resuming at their posts and this is more like instructing the police and other security agencies to enforce illegality and help the government in its coup attempt against these officials.
While it must be conceded that CP Fafowora came highly recommended as a law abiding and professional police officer, Imolites will watch closely to know if he would allow himself to be used to in sustaining antidemocratic, unconstitutional and despotic agenda of the People’s Democratic Party in the State.
It bears repeating that what the governor is doing is an affront on the judiciary and there is no excuse for such action, except that he might have come to believe that the Nigerian judiciary is toothless and court orders are meaningless.
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