Nigerian governor finally escapes impeachment

A report by Daily Trust indicates that members of the Borno state House of Assembly have put to rest the speculations of their plans to impeach Governor Babagana Zulum over alleged infractions.

According to reports, the members, during a special sitting, on Friday, March 26, eulogised Governor Zulum during which they took turns to debunk the claims of impeachment.

The lawmakers, however, said contrary to the news making the rounds, they did not initiate any impeachment inquiry against the governor.

According to the newspaper, the planned impeachment had gone viral on social media after the rumour was first circulated by an online newspaper.

Speaking during the special plenary on Friday, March 26, the speaker of the House, Abdulkarim Lawan, said they never contemplated removing the governor.

He said: “There was no plan whatsoever to remove our hardworking governor who restored confidence in our governance and the state in general. We also condemn the news and debunk the unverifiable publication and also urge the medium to verify news reports before publication.

“We call on various security agencies to bring to book the perpetrators of this malicious news report as we, members of Borno state House of Assembly, pass vote of confidence in the leadership style of Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum.”

Premium Times also reports in his comments, the House leader, Dige Mohamed (Kala Balge constituency), earlier called on the house to dispel the news in a motion under matters of public importance.

The report had it that credible sources said beyond the exaltations at the floor of the Assembly, some of the legislators had grumbled for weeks.

The sources reportedly said:

“The truth is that some disgruntled members who felt sidelined wanted to cause chaos in the house. They had met severally in some places and thought of spearheading the removal of the governor.

“Of course they wouldn’t have succeeded considering the domineering nature of the executive over the legislature in many states. Also, Zulum is so popular in Borno and beyond; It will therefore be very difficult to remove him.

"That notwithstanding, the angry Borno legislators made a point to the extent that they had to be cajoled to shelve the idea. Some elders, including former Governor Kashim Shettima, talked to them."