Group Dismiss calls for AG’s resignation in Nasarawa 

… Says statement, a Political witch hunt against AG.

From Abel Leonard, Lafia

The Nasarawa State Advocates for Peace and Ccsvxs,GFS,sPatriotism has dismissed the recent call forg the resignation of the Accountant General of Nasarawa State, Musa Ahmed Mohammed, describing the allegations against him as baseless and politically motivated.

The reaction follows a statement issued on Sunday by one, Mr. Laz’rus Salaki, coordinator of the Nasarawa State Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance Group, who accused the Accountant General of engaging in partisan politics and demanded his immediate resignation.

Addressing journalists in Lafia, the coordinator of the Advocates for Peace and Patriotism, Mr. D.S. Abimiku, stated that the accusations were a deliberate attempt to malign the Accountant General’s reputation for selfish political purposes.

The statement reads in part “We have every reason to believe that this so-called group is being sponsored by a political aspirant whose sole aim is to discredit the Accountant General for personal and political gain,” Abimiku said.

He added that despite growing public support for the Accountant General, Dr. Musa Ahmed Mohammed has not declared any intention to contest any political office.

“To date, the Accountant General has not formally or informally declared interest in any political position. The growing calls urging him to run for office are purely based on his exceptional track record, professional competence, and commitment to transparency,” he said.

Abimiku further emphasized that the accusations lack legal merit, citing a Supreme Court judgment which guarantees the constitutional right of public servants to associate with political parties.

He referenced the landmark case of INEC v. Musa, where the Supreme Court ruled in favour of civil servants’ political rights. Quoting Justice Samson Ayoola, he said:

“There is nothing reasonably justifiable in a democratic society on prohibiting a member of the civil service from eligibility to be registered as a member of a political party.”

He also cited the views of former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais, who described civil service rules restricting political activity as subordinate to the Constitution.

“Civil service rules are not legislation per se, as they are not made under any enabling Acts or law,” Uwais ruled, affirming that “every person” under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution has the right to associate and belong to any political party without restriction.

The group challenged Mr. Salaki and his organization to produce evidence of misconduct or bias in the discharge of the Accountant General’s duties.

“We challenge Mr. Salaki to provide verifiable evidence of any special favoritism or abuse of office by Dr. Musa Ahmed Mohammed. Until then, these claims remain speculative and politically driven,” Abimiku declared.