FG orders immediate swearing-in of Bala Ngilari as Adamawa Governor

by Laila Ibrahim
 
Following the judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja, by Hon. Justice Adeniyi Ademola, which nullified the swearing-in of Ahmadu Fintiri as the Acting Governor of Adamawa State and declared the resignation of James Bala Ngilari as null and void, the Federal Government has ordered the Chief Judge of Adamawa State to immediately swear in Ngilari as the new Governor of Adamawa State.
 
In a statement released on Wednesday, 8 October, the federal government said it was imperative to act urgently, to avert a vacuum in ‎governance as well as possible constitutional crises in the state.
 
According to the statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Adedeji Ajibade, which was made available to journalists at the State House in Abuja.
 
The statement read: “The attention of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, delivered by Hon. Justice Adeniyi Ademola on 8th October 2014. The Federal High Court by its judgement under reference nullified the swearing in of Ahmadu Umar Fintiri as the Acting Governor of Adamawa State and declared the resignation of James Bala Ngilari as unconstitutional, null and void.”
 
“In obedience to the judgement of the court and the need to avert a vacuum in ‎governance and possible constitutional crises, the Honourable the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, hereby calls on the Chief Judge of Adamawa State to immediately swear in Barrister James Bala Ngilari as the Governor of Adamawa State.”
 
Meanwhile, the National Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) has also been ordered to halt Saturday’s planned bye-election  in obedience to the judgement of the Federal High Court.
 
“The Chairman, National Independent Electoral Commission is also called upon in obedience to the judgement of the Federal High Court to keep in abeyance all the arrangements made for the conduct of the bye-elections scheduled to take place in Adamawa State on Saturday 11th October 2014” the statement added.