By Steve Oni, Ilorin
All 12-point resolutions passed by the National Assembly to President Muhammadu Buhari, do not warrant impeachment, says the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. He said that the lawmakers have not in any way threatened to impeach the President as being insinuated in some quarters.
Answering questions from journalists in the Ilorin International Airport after hosting the 11th Ramadan lecture in his Oro country home on Thursday, the minister said that he was not aware of any threat of impeachment by the National Assembly in the issues raised.
It is recalled that the lawmakers had said that they would invoke their constitutional powers if the President failed to address issues raised after a joint session last Tuesday.
Among others, the lawmakers had asked the President to stop killings in the country, stop harassment of perceived opponents, prosecute those who invaded Senate, stole mace and passed vote of no confidence in the Inspector General of Police.
Also, Governor Nasir El-Ruai of Kaduna state had on Thursday in Oro, Kwara state hailed the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on the ongoing investigation into recent criminal activities in the state, saying the IGP was doing an excellent job.
Giving the commendation at the 11th annual Ramadan Lecture organised by the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who is an indigene of the town, El-Rufai praised the police boss when he was thanking Chief Imam of Oro, Sheikh Mukail Onisan, for praying for the nation and leaders.
It is recalled that the National Assembly, which had considered actions and inactions of the police boss as antithetical to democracy, recently passed a vote of no confidence in him.
“I thank the Chief Imam for his prayers for the country, President Buhari, the Inspector-General of Police who is doing an excellent job, the minister of Information and I as well as others. May God accept his prayers”, he prayed.
The Kaduna state governor, who said he was at the programme because he could not meet up with last year’s invitation, commended the guest lecturer, Professor Raheemson Olawale whom he said pointed out good things people do in the country and also spoke against bad practices of the people.
He prayed that God should favour President Buhari with good health as he leads the country.
Also speaking, the minister praised El-Rufai as he described him as a detribalised Nigerian that believes in merit rather than tribal or religious sentiment.
The minister also said that religious harmony brings peace and development into any community all over the world, adding that competence, capacity and merit should matter and not tribal sentiment in appointment issues.
Alhaji Mohammed, who said that despite the fact that 70 per cent of traditional rulers in Oro community are Christians, they attend the annual Ramadan lecture together with their Muslim colleagues, adding that some editions of the programe were held at a church compound.
He described Oro community as religiously harmonious and tolerant, advising other communities of the country to emulate the community.
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