A group known as Concerned Citizens from Lere Federal Constituency, Kaduna State has issued Speaker of House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Gbajabiamila 14 days ultimatum to obey court judgement and reinstate the APC member duly elected by the good people of the constituency in the last general elections.
The also promised to occupy the National Assembly, should the Speaker fail to reinstate their Representative, Engr. Suleiman Aliyu Lere of the APC before 8th of January, 2021
The group went further demanding and and asking Mr. Speaker to tender a written public apology to the people for shielding Lawal Muhammad Rabiu of the PDP and for denying their Representative to occupy his seat .
It was made known in a press conference held at Kaduna NUJ Secretariat on Monday, Speaking on behalf of the group, Barrister Suleiman D. Lere said the decision of the Court of Appeal which led to the removal of their Rep for Lawal Muhammad Rabiu of the PDP, was successfully challenged and the same Court set aside its “wrong” Judgement.
According to him, a Certified copy of the enrolled Orders and ruling of the Court of Appeal was served on INEC, APC, Clerks of the NASS, House of Rep and the Speaker.
Barr. Lere said that INEC immediately complied and issued a new Certificate of Return to Suleiman Aliyu Lere thereby confirming the withdrawal of the nullified Certificate of Return issued to Rabiu Muhammed Lawal.
From the foregoing, the Spokesman said all efforts including correspondence demanding compliance with the Court Order by the Speaker fell into deaf ears.
” Again, on the 16th December 2020, Hon. (Engr) Suleiman Aliyu Lere through his Counsel, Ibrahim K.Bawa SAN, wrote and drew the Hon Speaker’s attention to the likely consequences of disobeying the unambiguous orders of the Court.
“Up to the time of this Press briefing, the orders of the Honourable Court of Appeal has not been complied with nor has it been executed by the Hon. Speaker. Or Clerk to the National Assembly as well as Clerk to the House of Rep.This is not only absurd , but peculiarly offensive to the provision of Section 75 (1) and (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended)”, he said.
The concerned citizens are therefore demanding among others, the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of their elected representative, Suleiman Aliyu Lere back to his office by virtue of the mandate of the people,, Judgement and Order of the Court and valid certificate of return already issued to him and served on the Hon. Speaker.
It added that, they were surprising to note that the Hon. Speaker being a Lawmaker and lawyer could commit contempt by disobeying Court orders.