Fubara: Senator Says President Can also be removed same way River’s Governor was Removed

Fubara: Senator Says President Can also be removed same way River’s Governor was Removed

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Former Deputy Majority Leader in the Senate from Yobe State, Senator Bala Ibn Na’allah has warned that the President can also be removed with same procedure that removed embattled Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara. 

The Senator who said this and other national issues during an interview warned that whatever is done is a precedence set and can be built upon.

He condemned the procedure engaged whereby the Senate through voice affirmation supported and confirmed the decision of the President , Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove the Rivers State Governor from office .

When asked as someone who was in the National Assembly during the Ghali Na’Abba era, how does he view today’s Assembly—often seen as a lapdog, quick to say yes to the executive?, The Senator reacted.

“’m glad you used the word perception. And I think I’m schooled enough to understand that perception is a fluid concept. The public may see the National Assembly that way, but that doesn’t mean it’s immune from making mistakes—procedural or otherwise—that give that impression. At the time decisions are made, lawmakers may have access to information the public doesn’t”.

He was asked “what kind of decisions are we talking about?”

He responded that “Any decision that may create the impression that they’re rubber stamps. As a leader, you sometimes have information that the public doesn’t. So your judgment won’t always align with theirs. And when that gap exists, the public may feel let down. But maybe, if they had the same information lawmakers had at the time, they would’ve made the same decision”.

He also responded to the question that touched On the crucial issue of declaring a state of emergency, why did the National Assembly use a voice vote instead of requiring members to openly state their positions and if it was appropriate?

“Honestly, it wasn’t right. And there’s no real justification for using that procedure.

“Parliamentary development is crucial in any democracy, and that’s why the idea of “ranking” members exists. Some of these mistakes happen because the presiding officer may not be senior—or experienced—enough to know the proper procedure to follow”.

The Following was if he was sure that’s the reason, or is the main purpose to achieve a particular goal? Senator Na’Allah said:

“Well, I can’t know their motivations as I’m not in their position or in the National Assembly. However, it’s clear that when the term “two-thirds” is used, no one needs to explain that you cannot determine it by a voice vote.

“According to standard parliamentary procedures, you either divide the House for a count or use electronic voting, because that two-thirds threshold is a critical constitutional requirement.

“The danger here, and this is important, is that in politics, everything is subject to change. For instance, removing a governor or the President of Nigeria under our constitution also requires a two-thirds majority. God forbid if things go wrong, and politically, some people want to remove the president, would the president accept a voice vote determining the two-thirds needed for his removal? Would anyone accept that? That’s the risk of setting precedents without considering the consequences. The implications of this are dire and have serious constitutional ramifications. I hope and continue to pray that the National Assembly will eventually find a way to acknowledge this error and affirm that any law requiring a two-thirds majority should be determined by a physical count or electronic voting”.

The Senator said it was very feasible when asked if it was feasible in today’s political climate.

“Very feasible. The institution is bigger than any of its members. We’ve passed through it, but the National Assembly remains. It’s about protecting the integrity of the institution.

“Many Nigerians feel uncomfortable with how institutions, including the National Assembly and judiciary, are functioning. Some say it’s a case of state capture.

“In a democracy, it’s okay to have concerns. The constitution gives you that right.

“But that doesn’t necessarily reflect the full picture. Sometimes, decisions are made under circumstances that don’t meet public expectations—but in that context, they seemed like the only way forward.

“Take the issue in Rivers, for instance. The debate wasn’t whether the emergency was justified—it was the suspension of the governor, the deputy, and the House that drew concern.

“But under the constitution, when a state assembly can’t function, the National Assembly can step in and legislate. That’s what we did during the Plateau crisis. But even then, the constitution makes it clear: the power to remove a governor isn’t part of that intervention. You can legislate, but not remove”.

When he was aksed that couldn’t this just be another case where lawmakers had information the public didn’t—just like he mentioned earlier, he also responded.

“No, honestly. There’s no information that justifies using a voice vote in that situation. None.

“But sometimes, you’re put in a position where you feel something must be done quickly, even if it’s not ideal”.

Bala Ibn Na’allah, born June 2, 1962 in Zuru, Kebbi State is a Nigerian politician and senator. He is representing Kebbi South Senatorial seat in the Senate of Nigeria and was the Deputy Majority leader in the 8th Nigerian senate. In 2023, Na’allah lost his reelection to the Senate as he was defeated by Garba Maidoki who polled 75,232 votes while Na’allah scored 70,785.