I have not been challenging the powers that be in this country and I do not intend to, but something happened recently and needs to be clearly addressed, we are young Nigerians ok I am a young Nigerian and with a passion for things to be done the right way. Recently the First Lady asked the Minister of Water Resources to represent her in Abeokuta at a book launch in honour of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. This issue was not well treated by the media as illegality needs to be addressed, fine we have an office of the First Lady, but the Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria does not support this as it states clearly who the Ministers of the country should report to.
In the words of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, in Chapter VI (147) a ‘minister of the Government of the Federation’ to whom the president may assign ‘responsibility for any business of the Government of the Federation…’ (148)(1).
As clearly stated above, only the president, the vice-president, or any other person duly authorised and empowered by the relevant sections of the constitution may assign roles and responsibilities to a minister – so long as it pertains to government business. This being so, and in full knowledge that the extant constitution has absolutely no provision for the position of First Lady, in what capacity, by what authority, and in the exercise of which powers did Mrs. Jonathan delegate the Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Serah Ochekpe, to attend the Obasanjo function on her behalf? This is a question both of law and of ethics in governance.
The above expressions stems from a deep hatred for the president and members of his family. Why cant people allow patience to rest? If Mrs. Serah Ochekpe is her excellency's friend like every other female ministers, what prevents her from representing her execlency in a ceremonious occassion. Mind you book lunch is not a constitutionally provided duty for any any serving executive
ReplyDelete@Samuel thank you for your comment and criticism I honestly appreciate it. To set the records straight, I do not hate Mr President I voted for him and even campaigned for him. I ensured that every member of my family voted for GEJ. My point is constitutional, the first lady according to our constitution has no right to send a Minister to any function. Meanwhile I am not the only one arguing this even the Guardian newspaper that belongs to Reuben Abati also pointed this out. Please feel free to criticise news contents on this blog I welcome such as it will allow me improve. Thank you once again.
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