The Arewa Youths for the Sustainance of Democracy and Good Governance has faulted the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, over the appointment of Lawal Yakawada as Chairman of All Boards of Commissions.
The group described the appointment as illegal and unconstitutional, insisting that it violated the laws establishing the Development Commissions.
Speaking during a press conference in Bauchi on Monday, the Coordinator of AYSDGG, Engineer Aliyu Aliyu, alongside the Secretary, Lawal Abdullahi, and other officials of the association, argued that the Commissions were established by Acts of the National Assembly, and until such laws are amended, no one has the power to override them.
Aliyu maintained that the unilateral appointment of Yakawada by the minister, without proper legal backing, was “ultra vires, unconstitutional, null and void.”
He noted that the minister’s action amounted to a usurpation of the powers of both the President and the National Assembly under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as well as the enabling Acts of the Commissions.
According to him, “The appointmentviolated the principles of separation of powers and due process under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“The action undermines transparency, federal character, and good governance. The enabling laws establishing the Regional Development Commissions vest appointment powers in the President, subject to Senate confirmation, not the Minister.”
Aliyu urged critical stakeholders, including the National Assembly, the Nigerian Bar Association, security agencies, civil society organisations, and the media, to rise in defence of the rule of law and prevent the Commissions from being weakened through undue political interference.
He also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to call the minister to order in the interest of justice and respect for the Constitution.
The group further warned that if the minister failed to reverse the appointment, it would have no option but to challenge the matter through legal means.
While speaking on the appointment, the minister disclosed that it takes immediate effect, thus installing Yakawada at the helm of strategic policy coordination among the various commissions under the ministry.
He highlighted his mandate to include: ensuring synergy, fostering collaboration, and driving effective implementation of the National Development Plan aimed at accelerating regional integration and socio-economic growth across the country.
0 Comments