The camp of the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has described the de-recognition of a former Governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omheia, as illegal.
The spokesman for the Atiku Presidential Campaign Council, Daniel Bwala, made this known during an appearance on Arise News on Friday.
The Rivers Assembly had on Thursday derecognised Omehia as a former governor and asked him to return all the benefits he received as the number citizen of the state within seven days.
The state governor, Nyesom Wike, on Friday, signed the the derecognition of the former governor into law, stating that Omehia was derecognised because of an extant Supreme Court judgment that ousted him.
During the interview, Bwala said derecognising Omehia meant that all the official duties he carried out while in office as governor such as signing of bills and approval of some appointments are null and void.
Bwala however asked the lawmakers to also invalidate all the official acts that he has conducted while in office, saying the state Assembly could not approbate and reprobate at the same time.
“If it is possible for either a House of Assembly or National Assembly, to pass a law delisting the history of a public officer, it means official acts carried by him would be deemed as null and void. And you know during the period, Omehia must have signed bills into law; during the period, Omehia must have signed contract; during the period, Omehia may have appointed people. There are certain acts he would have performed.
“So, if you have the capacity to delist him, you cannot approbate and reprobate, you must also invalidate all the official acts that he has conducted.”
Bwala further stated that the matter, if taken to court by Omehia, would be easily won against the Assembly.
“It is not even a legally serious issue that you will say it is 50-50, and any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the constitution, that law, to the extent of the inconsistency, is null and void. So if Omehia should go to the court, before the case is even mentioned, it is thrown out.”
This development is coming amid the deepening crisis rocking the PDP, particularly between Atiku and Wike.
