Falana calls for Buhari’s impeachment, highlights constitutional grounds for removal

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the National Assembly to impeach President Muhammadu Buhari, saying his administration has “outlived its usefulness” following the worsening insecurity across Nigeria.
Mr Falana who spoke on the sidelines of an event to mark world Press Freedom Day, said Nigeria was at war, as the current administration can no longer perform its function of securing lives and properties, Plus TV reported.
Stressing that the country is plagued by security challenges such as banditry and mass abductions currently raging across northern parts of the country and the South-West as well as incessant attacks on security agencies by unknown gunmen in South-East and South-South. He explained that the Boko Haram insurgents have taken over the North-East.
“Our country is going through war. In the North-East the Boko Haram sect is having an upper hand, don’t be deceived,” Mr Falana said, noting that the insurgents are now in Niger and Kebbi.
“I’m sure you know what is going on in the South-East, no policeman or soldier can wear his uniform- it’s as bad. I’m sure you know what is going on in the South-West, kidnapping, ritual murders all over the place. So, nowhere is safe in our country,” he said.
Barely two weeks ago, Peoples Gazette reported that Boko Haram had taken over communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, imposing VAT and income taxes on residents.
The state governor, Sani Bello, also announced the displacement of many residents by insurgents around Munya and Shiroro local government areas, stating that over 3,000 people have been displaced by Boko Haram’s activities.
Citing the section 143 of the constitution which provides that “The President or Vice-President may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this section,” Mr Falana berated the current administration saying that “a regime that has outlived its usefulness boasts that no one can suggest that the president should resign.
“For them, it’s a reasonable statement to ask the president to resign. But for me I submit by virtue of section 143 and we didn’t put it. If the president is unable to perform the primary functions of his office, the National Assembly shall move for him and ensure that he is neatly taken away out power through the process of impeachment,” he said.
According to the lawyer, Nigeria has attained that stage because the government has failed in its primary duties.
“I think Nigeria has gotten to that stage because section 14 (2) (3) provides that the primary purpose of the government in Nigeria shall be the security and welfare of the people, so if the government can neither guarantee your security nor your welfare, what is left for that government to be sacked,” said the lawyer who once claimed that Buhari’s regime knows those that are breaching the peace of the country.
Insecurity has worsened under the president’s watch, as number of daily attacks leave Nigerians raising doubts if the retired major general is still in control of the country.
A recent report published by BudgIT, a civic-tech non-profit organisation, indicated that Mr Buhari has spent at least N10 trillion in his unsuccessful campaign against Boko Haram insurgency and banditry.
Amid Mr Buhari’s unrestrained spending spree, federal agencies have also been accused of using “security votes” to clean out the public treasury.
The good governance body called for a probe of Mr Buhari’s unaudited humongous military spendings since he assumed office in 2015.
It disclosed that N1.9 trillion was allocated for the security sector in the 2021 budget, a 14 per cent increase from N1.78 trillion allocated in 2020.
Despite the increase in the funds allocated and Mr Buhari’s promises to crush insurgents, the country continues to experience daily killings and kidnaps at the hands of Boko Haram, bandits, and killer herdsmen.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Politics
SDP presidential candidate unveils blueprint, says four years enough for reforms
Mr Adebayo said the nation’s challenges stemmed directly from past leadership failures, not natural limitations.

Africa
Nigeria reaffirms commitment to ECOWAS standby force
During the meeting, Mr Massaquoi thanked the CDS for receiving the delegation.

States
Kano mandates annual license renewal for private schools
The Kano State Private and Voluntary Institutions Board (KSPVIB) mandated annual operating license renewals for private schools.

States
Woman found dead in Calabar hotel: Police
The Cross River State police command commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a yet-to-be-identified female guest at a hotel in Calabar.

States
AAC accuses Gov. Makinde of wasting Oyo resources on his presidential ambition
Mr Babayomi noted that his party would end financial instability and reckless spending in the state.

Heading 4
Obi’s allegation of thug attack in Benue politically motivated, says Gov Alia
He described Mr Obi’s allegation as a desperate attempt to drag the governor and the Benue government into what could be an internal political matter within the NDC.





