Former Nigerian vice president Atiku Abubakar has warned against the excessive use of power by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led federal government, noting that it is good for decent democratic practice.
Atiku, who was reacting to the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, said in a statement by his media office in Abuja that wielding the axe of impeachment against elected public office holders to settle scores by the PDP-led federal government would needlessly build up tension in the country.
The former Vice President said the reckless use of impeachment to settle scores could not have been the intention of the framers of the 1999 Constitution.
He said the frequency with which elective officials were being shot down by impeachment would destroy the whole purpose of inserting the impeachment clause in the Constitution.
He regretted that the use of impeachment to harass and humiliate perceived opponents by the PDP-led federal government would ultimately bastardize the spirit in which the constitution provides for the impeachment clause.
The former Vice President admonished the PDP-led federal government to take it easy in the way they use power, adding that the constitution was not meant to provide ammo to anybody to harass and humiliate opponents or force them out of office.
He deplored the use of financial inducements to influence the removal of perceived opponents from office.
According to him, triumphalism in the suppression of opponents is a bad omen for democracy.
Mr Atiku, look at pot calling kettle ‘black’ When you were in that party as the Vice President of this country, what did you do to prevent what you are claiming that is now happening? Is there any significant difference between PDP of then and now? I think you are reaping the fruits of the seed you guys planted. NIGERIA IS MOVING, YOU MUSNT BE IN POWER SIR.