Demolition: FCT Not Rivers, Rule Of Law Operates – HURIWA Tells Wike
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has cautioned the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike to learn to abide and administer the territory with absolute respect and in keeping with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
HURIWA particularly said that Wike, who is a lawyer must work in accordance with the principle of the Rule of law and to act in line with civility, decorum and orderliness.
The Human Rights organisation also urged Wike to desist from thinking that he is a dictator of Abuja the way some of the former governors acted in their previous offices.
HURIWA noted that the office of a federal minister is unlike that of the governor whereby some lawless office holders behave like emperors who are above the law.
These were contained in a statement by the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko in which he noted that the statement credited to Nyesom Wike that he will demolish all illegal structures exposed him as an overzealous public officer.
HURIWA therefore warned the new FCT Minister against political vendetta and abuse of office which are contrary to Section 15(5) of the Nigerian constitution.
According to Onwubiko; “Nyesom Wike should be told that he is not the governor of Federal Capital Territory but a servant of the people in his capacity as the caretaker of the FCT whereas the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the lawful landlord of the FCT”.
HURIWA’s caution on Wike was contained in a media statement titled; ‘AGENDA FOR MINISTERS’ in which the Rights group stated that there was the need to admit that the number of ministers sworn in, is huge, adding that Nigeria as at today is not in a position economically and otherwise to fund such a very large government that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has decided to set up.
It said; “What on earth is Nigeria doing with over 40 ministers which will cost Nigeria humongous taxpayers money to maintain their offices and those of their numerous special assistants to these ministers.
“The best thing for a nation with over 130 million multidimensionally poor Nigerians is for the nation to run a very lean government that wouldn’t cost the national treasury so much to run so the Country can conserve the funds to invest in human capital/capacity development of Nigerians for greater national productivity and sustainable development.
“Be that as it may, what we would itemise to the ministers as collective national agenda for sustainable development, enhanced security, enhanced national productivity, agricultural growth, and protection of the fundamental human rights of the citizens, is to tell each of them to pay greater attention towards achieving the goal and objectives of the current government which are clearly highlighted in the manifesto of President Tinubu and the developmental Blueprint of the All Progressives Congress.
“The minister of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation must ensure that the judiciary is not encumbered by the atrocious acts of disobedience of court orders by security chiefs, the IGP, the DG of DSS and all other persons wielding authority bestowed on them via their appointments by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The AGF MUST ensure that the judges are not attacked by the DSS as they did under the previous government of Muhammadu Buhari who used the DSS to force the justices of Supreme Court of Nigeria and other divisions of the court system to do their executive bidding.
“By and large, all officials of government and agencies must comply with the provisions of chapter 4 of the Constitution which are the human rights provisions as well as all binding legislations that are made to promote good governance, open government, transparency and accountability of all officials of government,” HURIWA said.
