By Ysusuf Maina
The call for the immediate resignation of the Nasarawa state Accountant General by a group has generated reactions from various groups and segments of the public.
One of the groups known as “Nasarawa State Advocates for Peace and Patriotism “has described the call for the resignation of the state Accountant General over involvement in political activities as baseless and politically motivated.
At a news briefing in lafia, the state capital, Coordinator of the Peace Advocacy group, Abimiku Dangana Solomon, reminded the agitators of their failure to identify any area in the constitution that bars public office holders from participating in partisan politics.
According to Abimiku Solomon, “The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ruled that public office holders and civil servants have constitutional rights to participate in politics and belong to political parties…He went further to add that this position was supported by the case of INEC Vs Musa, where Justices Ayoola and Mohammad Uwais, in a ruling, emphasized that civil service rules cannot supersede constitutional provisions.
The Coordinator, Advocates for Peace and Patriotism, further clarified that the Nasarawa state Accountant General, Musa Ahmed Mohammed, has not declared any gubernatorial ambition, and the display of his posters across the state was the handiwork of supporters and people urging him to join the race for the Governorship election..
Mr Abimiku Solomon quotes the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammad Uwais, as saying …
” The provisions of section 40 of the 1999 constitution are clear…Their import is to allow every person, including public office holders and civil servants, the freedom to assemble freely and associate with other persons to form or belong to any political party…for the protection of their interests. The section has made no exception, and there is no proviso limiting its application to civil servants or public officers.
He therefore challenged the group calling for the resignation of the Accountant General to provide evidence of alleged special favouritism or compromise in the discharge of official responsibilities by the Accountant General..
Mr. Abimiku Solomon stressed that the State Accountant General has the right to participate in active politics.
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