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It’s unconstitutional to invade National Assembly, HURIWA, others tell DSS

By Segun Olaniyi, Abuja
09 August 2016   |   2:52 am
A pro-democracy and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and 26 other NGOs have condemned the invasion by the Department of State Services (DSS) to the National Assembly, saying it’s “unconstitutional”.
Femi Falana

Femi Falana

A pro-democracy and Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and 26 other NGOs have condemned the invasion by the Department of State Services (DSS) to the National Assembly, saying it’s “unconstitutional”.

The rights groups also faulted the position of Human Rights Activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, who said, “the lawmakers could reduce, but can’t increase budget sub-heads as proposed by the executive arm of government.”

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, National Coordinator, HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko explained that the lawmakers would have made use of their internal mechanism in resolving all matters relating to the alleged budget padding instead of going to the press.

HURIWA stated that the entire political drama is becoming more curious, because it coincided with the most curious season whereby consiparcy theories are swirling around the necks of presidency officials suspected of funding subterranean plots to overthrow the properly constituted hierarchy in the National Assembly.

His words: “It is improper and unconstitutional for the DSS to seal up the office of the appropriation committee.“The House of Representatives would have made use of its internal mechanism in resolving all matters relating to the alleged budget padding rather than inviting the press.

“This drama by Abdulmumin Jibrin is being sponsored to destabilise democracy, and all lovers of democracy must speak out. The understanding of the powers of the National Assembly seems to say that the legislature is constitutionally empowerd to vet proposed budget since these elected officials aren’t rubber-stamps of Mr President.”

The groups, however called on the President “to speak out to Nigerians and clear the fog of suspicion that he is using law enforcement agencies under his control to harass and intimidate his opponents and to emasculate the other two arms of government.”

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