“a lie told often enough becomes the truth”
…Vladimir Lenin
On Tuesday June 27, 2023, while surfing through the internet, I stumbled over a one-sided and highly subjective article by one Akume Sesugh, titled “Fire On The Mountain In Benue and Plateau”. published in Sahara Reporters; an online publication platform noted for its notoriety, half-truths, unprofessionalism and unethical conduct overtime.The piece would have simply passed without any burden for a rejoinder but it’s important for me as an interested party in the subject matter to speak out and debunk tissues of lies and innuendos and conjectures peddled by the author in a desperate bid to create an impression to suit his narrative. The people are wiser and as expected are prepared to stand by their own governor regardless of the blackmail from any quarters.
The article apparently seeks to present a biased and false picture of His Excellency Father Hyacinth Alia, the Governor of Benue State over his governance approach. It accuses him of violating the Constitution, without providing substantial evidence to support these claims. Such baseless accusations undermine the credibility of the writer’s argument and sells him out as a paid hand desperate to justify the peanuts he may have collected for the hatchet job.
Firstly, the writer criticised the decision of the Governor to suspend the 23 democratically-elected Local Government Chairmen and the entire Councils based on allegations of corruption. However, the writer and his sponsors fail to acknowledge that Section 128 of the Constitution empowers the State House of Assembly to conduct investigations into matters within its legislative competence, particularly for exposing corruption, inefficiency, or waste.
The recommendation for suspension was made by the State House of Assembly after considering a report on the income and expenditures of the Local Government Councils. This action is justified within the constitutional framework and aimed at ensuring good governance and accountability at the third tier of government.
For instance, according to Section 62 of the Local Government Administration Law, Cap. 98 Laws of Benue State, when allegations of corrupt practices are made against the Chairman of any Council, the Governor, with the approval of the House of Assembly, may suspend the Chairman or Council in the interest of the public and good governance to enable proper investigation against them. This provision emphasizes the importance of conducting investigations to ensure transparency and accountability in the local government administration.
Additionally, Chapter 5, Part 2, Section 128 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended, grants the State House of Assembly the power to conduct investigations into matters it has the authority to make laws upon. The purpose of such investigations includes exposing corruption, inefficiency, or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence, as stated in Section 128 sub 1(a) and 128 sub 2(b). Therefore, the State House of Assembly is empowered to investigate allegations of misappropriation of public funds or gross abuse of office by the Local Government Councils. It doesn’t matter whose ox is gored. According to the law, both procedure and recommendations and decision that led to the suspension are in order.
Similarly, Section 7 of the Constitution grants the State House of Assembly the power to make laws for the structure, composition, functions, and financing of the Local Government. This constitutional provision allowed the Benue State House of Assembly to pass the Benue State Local Government Establishment Law. Under this law, the State House of Assembly is authorized to make recommendations to the Governor for the suspension of Local Government Councils in cases of misappropriation of public funds or gross abuse of office.
It is important to emphasize that the suspension of the Council Chairmen and Councils was not an arbitrary action but a response to allegations of corruption and financial misconduct. The House of Assembly has initiated an investigation into these matters to ensure transparency and accountability in the Local Government system. The suspended Chairmen should cooperate with the ad-hoc committee and provide evidence of their innocence instead of resorting to public posturing.
Regarding the interpretation of Section 62 of the Benue Local Government Law, the writer argues that the provision violates the principle of fair hearing and grants excessive powers to suspend Chairmen and Councils without due process. While fair hearing is indeed a fundamental human right, it is important to note that Section 62 requires the approval of the House of Assembly before a suspension can be carried out. In this case, the House recommended the suspension, and the Governor acted based on their recommendation. Therefore, the argument that the Governor’s action was invalid due to an imagined technicality in the procedure lacks merit.
Instead of instigating Local Government Chairmen and their Councils against the state, the writer ought to have urged the suspended Council Chairmen to cooperate with the ad-hoc committee set up by the House of Assembly. If they have nothing to hide and wish to prove their innocence, their cooperation will be crucial so that they can be restored to their positions if not found wanting. This investigation is being conducted in accordance with the Constitution (Sections 7, 103, 128, and 129) and the State Local Government Establishment Law, ensuring a legal and fair process.
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Benue sons and daughters must resist the urge to be used as hired mercenaries by agents of the opposition and those who feed fat on crisis situations. The writer’s attempt to discredit Father Hyacinth Alia based on his religious background is unfounded and irrelevant. Painting a negative image of a priest without substantive evidence is unfair and disrespectful. Era of twisting religious sentiments into political discussions to score cheap points is over in Nigerian politics. It is crucial to focus on the facts and the actions taken by the governor in response to allegations of corruption within the local government councils.
In conclusion, Akume Sesugh’s attempt to undermine the vision of the governor and misrepresent the constitutional basis for the suspension of the Local Government Chairmen and Councils is unfounded. The decision of the Governor and the State House of Assembly is justified within the framework of the Constitution and aimed at ensuring good governance, accountability, and transparency in the local government system. It is therefore important to base arguments on factual information and avoid personal biases and unfounded innuendos. The Governor and the State House of Assembly should be commended for their commitment to oversight functions and the sustenance of credible governance structures at the grassroot.
Solomon Semaka is a Human Rights activist and Convener Save Nigeria Movement.
