Trouble may not yet be over for embattled governor of Kogi state, Yahaya Bello as the House of Representatives on Tuesday accused him of committing impeachable offences in the running of the state’s affairs.
According to the lawmakers, the impeachable offences had to do with Bello’s handling of the leadership crisis rocking the State House of Assembly.
The House therefore summoned him over allegations that he flouted National Assembly resolutions and an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The decision was taken at plenary on Tuesday, following the consideration of the report of an ad hoc committee set up to investigate Bello’s compliance with the resolution of the House.
The governor had been directed to seal the House of Assembly and forward the budget of the state to the House for consideration.
This threat is coming at a time Bello and his supporters are still basking in the euphoria of the two victories recorded against James Faleke and Captain Idris Wada (rtd) at the tribunal in the last 24 hours.
Justice Halima Muhammed who chairs the Kogi State Elections Petition Tribunal had dismissed the petitiion of Faleke and Wada and reaffirmed Bello’s victory.
On Tuesday at the Green Chamber, it was the House Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, who chaired the session when the recommendations of the ad hoc committee were being reviewed and adopted.
One of the ad hoc committee ’s recommendations that was adopted at the session directed Bello to forward the state’s executive bills to the House for immediate consideration.
However, the decision to summon the governor was taken after a member, Chukwuemeka Ujam, raised a motion of urgent public importance, drawing attention to the looming crisis in the state.
While moving the motion, Ujam had noted that Bello had begun implementing a budget not approved by the House and ha d also failed to honour the court’s ruling nullifying the impeachment of the embattled Speaker, Mommoh Jimoh.
Contributing to the motion, Ali Isa Jesse expressed displeasure at the governor’s disregard for the resolutions of the National Assembly.
He further urged the House to initiate an impeachment process against the governor.
While describing the disregard of the resolution of the National Assembly and ruling of the court as an act of impunity, Gbajabiamila said the governor had no immunity against being investigated.
He added that Bello ha d no right to deploy the military in the state.
The House, however, adopted the motion on a voice vote when the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, put the question to the members.
The House also resolved to summon the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to explain why troops were deployed to the state.
