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The frontier of the Nasarawa unit has criticized the recent requests for the resignation of the State General State, Musa Ahmed Mohammed (Baraden Nasarawa), describing it as without foundation, premature and rooted in an incorrect understanding of the constitution of Nigeria and the electoral law 2022.
This was contained in a declaration signed by the president of the group, Abimiku Eliseo and the secretary, Ibrahim Dogara, and published on Sunday.
The group was reacting to a press conference organized by the group of transparency, responsibility and good governance of the state of Nasarawa (NS-TA & G2), who had invited Barade to resign for alleged political ambitions.
According to the frontier of the Nasarawa unit, there is no public documentation or a private declaration by Barade that indicate any intention to contest the elective office.
“He remains concentrated on his duties and faithful to the administration of the governor Abdullahi Sule,” said the group.
The group warned against drag the technocrats into political disputes, insisting on the fact that the former president of the Chamber of the State of Nasarawa continued to download his responsibilities with professionalism and neutrality. They described the accusations as speculative and without substance.
NS-TA & G2 had mentioned section 84 (12) of the electoral law 2022 to support its request, but the Unity Frontier claimed that the section applies only to the nominated that seek elections or nominations, not those simply associated with characters or political conversations.
The unit frontier referred to the case of the 2003 Supreme Court, Iner Balarabe Musa and others, who have considered that public employees and public officials cannot be denied their constitutional right to associate freely, including the political association, unless they interrupt their official functions.
They also indicated a circular issued by the head of the Federation of the Federation on May 5, 2022, which reaffirmed the constitutional right of public employees to participate in politics, without prejudice to compliance with the rules of the public service.
“Saying that Barade is” connected to closed associates “is not enough to justify the resignation,” said the group. “Unless this association interferes a specific law with its duties or interrupted, it is not a valid reason for a punitive action.”
The declaration stressed that Barade did not declare for any political office, nor did he buy a appointment form. “Until he makes such a move, there is no legal or moral requirement for resignation,” they said.
They also questioned the reasons for those who behind the request for resignation, saying that Barade was unjustly identified while other public officers with the political affiliations that are said were not left intact. “It looks more like a targeted strip campaign than a request for responsibility,” said the group.
The accusations of “secret meetings” were fired as not proven. The group has argued that normal interactions with colleagues or collaborators cannot be equated to political maneuvers or badly conducted in office.
They said that Targeting Barade for his appointment is, by extension, an affront directed to the governor Abdullahi Sule, who has made the appointment based on competence and proven integrity. This decision reflects the vision of the governor for transparency, tax prudence and development, objective that have seen significant progress under the current administration. It is therefore mischievous to use obsolete political episodes to undermine this shared vision.
On the question of the alleged ambition of Barade’s Governorate, the group claims to be hidden secretly while acting as a general accountant. However, no formal declaration from Barade was made. Speculating on the ambition and accusing him of violation of political ethics is both premature and unfounded.
It is important to note that no provision of the Constitution forbids citizens to encourage or persuade people to contest the elections. The democratic framework allows the electorate to freely express their preferences, including the stress of people capable to seek public offices.
However, the final decision is based exclusively on the individual concerned. In the case of Barade, while there could be a growing public feeling that pushes him to run, he has not formally declared any intention of contesting. Until this declaration is made, any hypotheses on his candidacy remain speculative and without legal or constitutional position.
Even if he chooses to run, the legal framework that guides this transition is clear. According to sections 66 (1) (f), 107 (1) (f), 137 (1) (g) and 182 (1) (g) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, any owner of public offices that aspires to contest in an election is required to resign only at least 30 days before the elections. The electoral law 2022 and the APC Constitution strengthen this requirement.
These legal provisions are accessible to the public and any group with integrity would have consulted them before making misleading statements. Unfortunately, the group has chosen to disinform the public, perhaps hoping to arouse discord or obtaining favor with some political interests.
They warned that these politically motivated attacks could destabilize the administration of the governor on and erode public trust in faithful officials. “Attention should remain on governance, not on gossip,” they added.
They described the campaign against the AG as part of a wider trend of “faces without faces” that aim for competent public employees with allusions and propaganda rather than facts or legal arguments.
The group invited civil society organizations and political groups to support the law, avoid sensationalism and contribute positively to political stability and administrative discipline in the state.
In conclusion, the unit frontier urged the public to ignore the calls for resignation, reaffirming that Musa Ahmed Mohammed has not violated any law or directive and remains concentrated on his official duties and incorrecting his loyalty towards the governor Sule.
