Daniel Bwala, the Spokesperson for the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has faulted the de-recognition of a former governor of Rivers State, Celestine Omheia, by the state Assembly.
Omhia noted that delisting Omehia meant not recognising official duties performed by him when he was a governor, which included the signing of bills and approval of some appointments. Bwala said the state Assembly could not approbate and reprobate at the same time.
The Rivers Assembly, on Thursday, October 6, 2022, derecognised Omehia as a former governor, asking him to, within seven days, refund N96.5 million he received as benefits as a former governor.
This was also as Governor Nyesom Wike of the state was also set to sign the derecognition of the former governor.
Reacting on Arise TV interview, aired Friday morning, the Atiku spokesperson said, “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 contracts; 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 said 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 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,” he said.
This development is coming amid the deepening crisis rocking the PDP, particularly between Atiku and Wike. Omehia is said to be a staunch supporter of Atiku.
