The All Progressives Congress (APC) Benue State Chapter, hereby commend the 13 courageous members of the Benue State House of Assembly for their unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the independence of the judiciary in the face of unconstitutional attempts to remove the Chief Judge of Benue State, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese.
The recent actions by the Benue State House of Assembly, which sought to remove Justice Ikpambese without following due process as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria, represent a blatant disregard for the principles of judicial independence and the separation of powers.
The NJC and the NBA have rightly condemned these actions as unconstitutional, emphasizing that the removal of a judicial officer must strictly adhere to the procedures outlined in the Constitution, particularly through the involvement of the NJC .
We particularly applaud the 13 suspended members of the Benue State House of Assembly who stood against this unconstitutional move, even at great personal costs. Their suspension for opposing the illegal recommendation to remove Justice Ikpambese is a testament to their integrity and commitment to democratic principles. These lawmakers have demonstrated that the rule of law must prevail over political expediency .
Furthermore, Benue APC align with the position of the National Assembly Caucus from Benue State in their call for the National Assembly to take over the legislative activities of the Benue State House of Assembly until normalcy is restored. The current crisis in the Benue State Assembly, marked by the suspension of dissenting voices and the disregard for constitutional processes, undermines the democratic governance of the state. The intervention of the National Assembly is not only necessary but urgent to ensure that the legislative arm of Benue State functions in accordance with the law and the will of the people .
We call on the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, to respect the rule of law and allow the NJC to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the allegations against Justice Ikpambese. Any action taken outside the constitutional framework is not only illegal but also sets a dangerous precedent for the future of Nigeria’s democracy .
The NJC and the NBA have shown exemplary leadership in defending the judiciary from political interference. Their actions serve as a reminder that the independence of the judiciary is sacrosanct and must be protected at all costs. We urge all Nigerians to support these institutions in their efforts to safeguard our democracy .
In conclusion, urge the good people of Benue State to remain peaceful and law abiding Citizens, we call on all security agencies in the state to use every constitutional means to restore constitutional order in the State.
