The Vanguard for Transparent Leadership and Democracy (VATLAD) has expressed reservations over the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, to reject the nomination of Mr. Tamuno Williams as a commissioner in the state.
In a statement issued by its National President, Comrade (Engr.) Igbini Odafe Emmanuel, the group said the reason given by the Assembly for rejecting Williams’ nomination was based solely on his personal views during the prolonged political disagreement between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
According to VATLAD, Williams had publicly expressed opinions on the dispute through mainstream and social media platforms, views which did not align with the position of the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Fubara.
Emmanuel noted that while Section 192(2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) empowers a state House of Assembly to confirm or reject nominees presented by the governor for commissioner positions, Section 192(4) outlines the conditions under which a nominee may be validly rejected.
He argued that the Assembly’s reason for rejecting Williams did not conform with the provisions of Sections 192(4), 106, and 107 of the Constitution.
“To this extent, the rejection of the nomination constitutes a clear violation of the relevant constitutional provisions and is therefore unconstitutional, null and void, and of no effect,” Emmanuel stated.
The group urged Governor Fubara to re-present Williams’ name to the House of Assembly for confirmation.
VATLAD further explained that Section 192(4) of the Constitution provides that no person shall be appointed as a state commissioner unless he is qualified for election as a member of the State House of Assembly. It also referenced Section 106, which states that a candidate must be a Nigerian citizen, at least 30 years old, educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent, and a member of a political party sponsored by that party.
Section 107 of the Constitution, Emmanuel noted, lists 13 grounds for disqualification from election into a House of Assembly, none of which includes the expression of personal opinions.
He stressed that the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed under Section 39 of the Constitution, allows individuals to hold and express opinions without interference.
“Mr. Tamuno Williams acted within his constitutional rights in expressing his personal views on the disagreement between the Rivers State House of Assembly and Governor Fubara,” he said.
Emmanuel added that the opinions expressed by Williams before the Supreme Court delivered its final judgment on the matter had become irrelevant following the court’s ruling.
He also noted that he personally held views that differed from Williams during the political dispute views that ultimately aligned with the Supreme Court’s judgment but stressed that this did not make him an adversary of Governor Fubara.
According to the group, Williams remains constitutionally qualified for appointment as a commissioner in Rivers State and should be confirmed by the House of Assembly.
