Court Judgement: Your silence on refusal to swear-in KWHA PDP candidate, complicit – CSO tells Kwara Gov  

By Mumini AbdulKareem

A Civil Society Organisation, Kwara Advancement Initiative (KAI) has called on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to speak out over the refusal of the Kwara State House of Assembly to swear-in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Abdulraheem Agboola as the member representing Ilorin South Local Government at the State House of Assembly despite an Appeal Court judgement on the issue.
KAI in a statement on the issue, last night, made available to National Pilot titled “Our reactions to recent developments in Kwara” noted that silence of the Governor over the matter shows complicity adding that the government must have regards for the rule of law.
While it congratulated the newly inaugurated commissioners, KIA urged them to be responsible and effective in the discharge of their duties adding that the interest of Kwara and Kwarans should be their guide and priority.
The statement reads:
“We note with concern and displeasure the failure of the leadership of the 9th Kwara State House of Assembly to swear-in Hon Abdulraheem Agboola as ordered by the Court of Appeal. This is lawlessness and a brazen disregard for rule of law that must be condemned by all lovers of democracy and advocates of justice. We must not allow this illegality to fester in Kwara. Court judgement must be obeyed, irrespective of anyone’s interest – no individual or group should choose which court judgement to obey or not.
“If the Court of Appeal that is the last bus stop of petitions from National and State Assembly elections had given an order, the Kwara Assembly definitely has no justifiable reason not to obey the verdict. We are also worried that the sacked honourable member, Abdulazeez Elewu continues to parade himself as a member of the House and still enjoys benefits due to a member of the House.
“The Kwara Advancement Initiative (KAI) also calls on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq not to enable lawlessness. His obvious silence on this matter demonstrates to us that he’s complicit. Whoever keeps silence in the face of injustice is an enabler. Mr Governor should be worried about the illegality and impunity being perpetuated by the APC-controlled House of Assembly because it raises concerns about his administration’s attitude to rule of law.
“We therefore ask Mr Governor to prevail on the lawmakers and his party men to respect the rule of law and swear-in Mr Agboola, as instructed by the Court. Kwarans won’t tolerate lawlessness from their leaders. The Governor needs to act as a true democrat he’s always claimed to be.
On Minimum wage, KAI said, “Earlier today, we read news of the constitution of a government panel to meet with Labour unions in Kwara to discuss the national minimum wage. Although, this is long overdue, we commend Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq for taking this step.
“We however want the state government to show sincerity on this matter. Mr Governor should know that constitution of the committee is not as important as the implementation of the minimum wage. What Kwara workers need is an improved minimum wage, which you promised them during campaign.
“If states with lower financial strength to Kwara could make commitments to pay the new minimum wage, we don’t think the Kwara State Government should have any excuse not to do the same.
“We call on labour unions in the state including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to wake up from their slumber and fight for the welfare of their members”, it added