Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, says the impeachment plot against Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, is a nullity.
Reacting to the events that took place in the state Monday, he said the alleged impeachment plot of the governor by some members of the House of Assembly “was at best an exercise in futility,” adding that “it is unconstitutional and devoid of any known legislative practices and procedures.”
In a press statement signed by Paul Mumeh, his special assistant, Mark said: “I will advice members of the Benue State House of Assembly to be guided by the constitution and legislative rules and procedures. They should not engage in any act that could undermine the established tenet of democracy.
“The action of some members of Benue State House of Assembly violates section 188 (2) of the 1999 constitution (as amended) which requires that a Notice of Impeachment has to be supported by at least one third of the members of the House to be valid. This is obviously not the case here.
“What is expected of the lawmakers is a collaborative effort with executive arm of state government to provide the needed dividend of democracy to the people of Benue.”
Mark reminded the lawmakers that the interest and welfare of Benue people should take priority over and above any other interest insisting that “anything less would be a disservice to the people they swore to serve.”
He also advised the governor not be distracted by the developments in the state but remain focused and steadfast in the discharge of his duties even as he called on the people of Benue to remain law-abiding.
He added that security operatives should maintain law and order objectively.