Respect rule of law, Bello tells impeached LG chairmen

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has urged some local government chairmen who were impeached by the State Assembly espect the rule of law and the judiciary, noting that it is wrong for the affect council chairmen to forcefully resume office, owing to his earlier directive that Council Chairmen and Vice Chairmen earlier barred from resuming office for political reasons be reinstated.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kingsley Fanwo, on Monday, said: “The attention of the Governor of Kogi State, Alh. Yahaya Bello has been drawn to attempts by some impeached Chairmen to forcefully resume office on the strength of the earlier directive that Council Chairmen and Vice Chairmen earlier barred from resuming office for political reasons be reinstated.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Chairmen that were impeached by the legislature should respect the rule of law and our judiciary and stay away from office while those that were barred from resuming office due to their political associations are allowed to resume office through a rancour-free process.

“Governor Bello expects the relevant authorities and security agencies to help effect a smooth compliance with this directive. In clear terms, impeached Chairmen cannot benefit from the directive as the governor will not ambush the authority of the legislature as a believer in the rule of law.”