by Dolapo Adelana
President Muhammadu Buhari may lean towards the side of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (retd.), in his ongoing stand-off with the Senate over his failure to wear his uniform.
Ali and the Senate have been at loggerheads over his refusal to wear the uniform of the Service as CG.
On Thursday, he appeared at the Senate without the uniform and was turned back by senators, asking him to return in the complete Customs uniform.
According to The Punch, Buhari’s position on the issue is based on the fact that no law compels Ali to wear a uniform.
A source, who spoke on the development said the President’s decision is based on legal advice made available to him by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The source said there is a clear separation of powers among the three arms of government.
He said the Presidency holds that lawmakers could not make laws and enforce the laws themselves.
“The AGF has advised that no law compels a political appointee to wear any uniform. And again, the legislature makes laws, but they don’t have the power to enforce those laws,” the source said.
The Public Relations Officer of NCS, Mr. Joseph Attah, when asked if Ali will heed the Senate’s directive, Attah said the CG would do the appropriate thing.
“I am confident the CG will do the appropriate thing. Thank you,” he stated.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
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