22nd September, 2010
The Save Nigeria Group, SNG, headed by Pastor Tunde Bakare, has described the purported impeachment of the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Tunji Egbetokun on Monday, 6 September, 2010, as a rape on democracy.
Addressing newsmen this morning in Lagos, the group which clearly stated that it did not step into any issue without getting the facts involved, revealed that both the G-15 and G-11 presented their cases in writing, adding that oral presentations were also made by both sides.
The SNG, after considering the submission of both sides, condemned the action of the G-11, stressing that due process was not followed in their ‘illegal’ sitting.
Said Pastor Bakare at the conference: “While we concede that no arm of government should be allowed to paralyse another, we viewed the recent action as a rape of democracy, an outright violation of the rule of law and parliamentary principle which forbids the minority to ‘overthrow’ the majority.
“The sad event of 6 September, 2010 is a continuation of the outlawry of the ruling People’s Democratic Party, PDP, which in the last 11 years has made nonsense of the rule of law through promotion of gangsterim and violent violation of the laws of the land under the doctrine of family affairs.â€
He disclosed that the most heart rendering ofn all the development was the sinful silence of President Goodluck Jonathan on the crude assault against democracy in Ogun State, saying that he was expected to defend the rule of law at all times according to his oath of office.
Pastor Bakare also pointed out that the SNG could not hide their feelings that the National Assembly had maintained a criminal silence on the debacle in Ogun State, keeping mute for 16 days running, whether they are on recess or not.
On the way forward, the Save Nigeria Group gave a two-week ultimatum that the leadership of the Ogun State House of Assembly should return to the status quo before the 6 September, 2010 kangaroo impeachment.
It also advised President Jonathan to unseal the Ogun State House of Assembly so that normal legislative business would resume and that the legitimate speaker be allowed to call the meeting of the whole House where all related issues could be resolved.
—Jide Osokoya