No plan to impeach Jang —Dabwan
It was
an eventful day at the Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration (CIDA),
Lagos on June 30, 2008, as cream of Nigerians who have made their marks in
their career and service of the nation assembled to deliberate on the problems
of Nigeria as well as being honoured with the Fellow of the Civilian Institute
of Democratic Administration (FCIDA). Among the recipients are Garba Mohammed
Gadi, Depuy Governor of Bauchi State; Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, Minister of
State for Science and Technology; Honourable John Clark Dabwan, Minority Leader,
Plateau State House of Assembly; Hajiya Binta Fatima Murtala Nyako, First
Lady of Adamawa State; Dr. Abisola Sodipo-Akindeko, Mediacal Practitioner
and World Health Organization (WHO) Consultant; Shehu Ohman, Managing Director,
Kaduna Polytechnic consult Nigeria limited; Mrs. Margaret Bolade Babalola,
Chief Instructor, Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State; Dr. Udoghoreyon Lawyer
Edema; Dr. Patrick Ndubisi Onyekwere, Academician; Lady Antonia Igbele, retired
Assistant Director of Nursing in delta State hospital Management Board; Mrs.
Nwakaku Laetitia Akinlami, Director-General, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria,
Abuja and Chukwudi Odekpe, Businessman.
In the midst of the event, the Minority Leader of the Plateau State House
of Assembly, Honourable John Clark Dabwan, spared time to grant an interview
to SUNDAY ODIBASHI where he declared that there was no plan at any stage to
impeach Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State, among other issues. Excerpts
AS a member of the Action Congress (AC) and the Minority Leader
of the Plateau State House of Assembly, what would you say about the performance
of the AC as the leading Opposition Party in Plateau State?
I would like to say that we are firing well; we are on course, we have nothing
to complain. We are still on our ground. As you know, politics is not a do
or die affair.
When we lost out in the court, we still remain resolute and firm; we are not
deterred at all. So, he Action Congress is still committed to bringing about
change and good governance in Plateau State and in the country. We have unreservedly
assumed to play prominent role as a vibrant opposition political party across
the country and I think we are doing that very well.
But there were reports that there are overtures for some of you
to cross over to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?
Well, everybody has his own opinion. Even you that is here now, somebody can
say that he saw you at the Bar Beach but you were not at the Beach. So such
reports are allowed in politics. It is a kind of propaganda machinery that
political parties apply and I think propaganda machinery is allowed in politics.
Politics has to do with so much propaganda that some politicians apply it
to confuse or misinform people. So whatever anybody wants to say he is free
to say it but at any opportunity we will always put things right to the public.
I think in our party, the Action Congress, as far as we are concerned, we
are still on course, we are united and we are focused and committed. There
is no course for alarm; we are still one big family.
There were observations that not much of opposition has actually come from
the Action Congress in Plateau State, especially from the House of Assembly?
Well, I don't know what you mean by that, but I think that people are free
to express their opinion. As a student, you are not supposed to judge yourself;
I believe you will allow the teacher to score you. So we the actors in the
Plateau State political terrain, we are not supposed to judge ourselves; let
the public talk about us.
So far we are on course; we don't have problem, but whatever people say they
are free; it is their opinion. I believe the most important thing one should
not allow is for the people's opinion to override your sense of reasoning
and direction. We are not bordered and nothing can deter us from pursuing
he noble goal of improving the welfare of the people in our state and the
country; we are resolute and firm, as far as that is concerned.
How will you rate the performance of the Governor of Plateau State in the
past one year?
In the past one year we expected much than what we have seen of the Plateau
State Governor. As far as I am concerned, there is much to be desired from
the present government in Plateau State. So far we have passed the appropriation
bill already. It is one year but we have not seen much, I think there is need
for much improvement.
Won't you attribute that to what the governor inherited, knowing fully well
that Plateau State was more or less a theatre of crisis?
I think that if somebody goes into politics and you contest election, you
should have your own agenda. Maybe the governor is following his own agenda.
He is supposed to answer that question; I am not detailed to speak on his
behalf. He is the chief executive of the state, he came in as a governor of
Plateau State and I came in as a legislator; I have my own agenda too; so
I wouldn't speak for him.
There was a report about a commissioner declared wanted by the
House of Assembly over impeachment plot against the governor, how far has
that matter gone?
It is true the commissioner was declared wanted because he really infringed
on some issues of the House. When the House summoned him to appear he couldn't
appear, so we have to order that he be arrested. When he came he apologized.
Meanwhile, the issue is before the Committee on Information which I am a member.
We are still handling the matter; our findings will be made public very soon.
Are saying that there was no such notice in Plateau State?
That was fallacy. There wasn't anything like that; it was mere propaganda
by the press. At no time did the House contemplate impeaching the governor
in Plateau State.
The issue of constitutional review has beclouded the political
milieu across the country, what is the position of Plateau State House of
Assembly on the review of the constitutional?
We have made our position very clear; we have already made it known to the
media back home, so I wouldn't want to duplicate the issue. But I subscribe
to a situation whereby the legislature as an arm of government should be autonomous
to really check the executive, to give the people real sense of belonging,
sense of togetherness, give them direction in everything. It is our duty to
ensure good governance and oversee that the dividends of democracy are delivered
to the people and that their standard of living is improved. Thus, the power
of the legislature should not be interfered with by any other arm of government
however powerful. So, the autonomy of the legislature is indispensable.