Connect with us

Politics

No Law Bars Me From Being Minister While Serving As Corps Member- Hannatu

Published

on

No Law Bars Me From Being Minister While Serving As Corps Member- Hannatu

 

The Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa has said her appointment does not violate the country’s law contrary to claims in several quarters.

It could be recalled that Hannatu was sworn in minister last Monday with many Nigerians faulting her appointment since she is a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), a mandatory one-year program for Nigerian graduates not more than 30 years.

However, in a personal statement issued on Sunday, she argued that her appointment is not a contravention of the country’s laws.

“I would like to state clearly that contrary to wrong insinuations and false assumptions in a section of the mainstream media and social media where false accusations have been made, there is no breach of any law or constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended regarding my current position as a Minister and status as serving corps member,” she maintained.

“It must be said that there is no law of Nigeria or any part of our Constitution and NYSC Act that states that a serving corps member can not be appointed by the President of Nigeria or any other appointing authority into political positions.

Equally, no part of our existing laws and the NYSC Act says that a corps member must finish service before he/she can be appointed into political office. There are no legal or constitutional limitations whatsoever. I have not broken any law of Nigeria.

“In fact, in a decided case before a Federal High Court Abuja in 2021, Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that the Constitution of Nigeria, which is the groundnorm, does not require anyone to even present a first-degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate to be appointed a Minister in Nigeria.”

While reiterating her desire to serve the country, she said her participation in the NYSC scheme further buttresses that.

“I will continue to serve my country using every opportunity and platform,” the minister added.  “My current NYSC status which will end in another 4 months will not in any way impede the discharge of my duties as Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, which, on its own, is a higher call to national service.”

READ HER FULL STATEMENT BELOW:

The last couple of days have witnessed a barrage of media attacks and misinformation about me following my appointment and swearing-in as the Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

I want to, again, thank President Tinubu for finding me worthy and for giving me the opportunity to serve the country I love as one of his Ministers.

It is true I am currently on the NYSC national service which I began 8 months ago as a matter of duty and devotion to my country, having been unable to complete the scheme since I was first mobilised in 2001. I started the mandatory national service as a Corp member deployed to Akwa-Ibom State (pls confirm state) in 2001 upon the completion of my university education. I could not complete the service the same year after my redeployment to Kaduna State due to family obligations. Despite this, it has been my personal resolve and commitment that I will always fulfill this national duty whenever I am opportune to do so.

I applied to NYSC to be mobilised again for national service last year. NYSC graciously mobilised and deployed me to serve in Abuja where I have been serving for the last 8 months before my current appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I would like to state clearly that contrary to wrong insinuations and false assumptions in a section of the mainstream media and social media where false accusations have been made, there is no breach of any law or constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended regarding my current position as a Minister and status as serving corps member.

It must be said that there is no law of Nigeria or any part of our constitution and NYSC Act that states that a serving corps member can not be appointed by the President of Nigeria or any other appointing authority into political positions. Equally, no part of our existing laws and the NYSC Act says that a corp member must finish service before he/she can be appointed into political office. There are no legal or constitutional limitations whatsoever. I have not broken any law of Nigeria.

In fact, in a decided case before a Federal High Court Abuja in 2021, Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that the Constitution of Nigeria, which is the grundnorm, does not require anyone to even present a first-degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate to be appointed a Minister in Nigeria.

I decided to participate in the current NYSC programme in fulfillment of my own personal commitment and out of a sense of duty which I am proud of.

I will continue to serve my country using every opportunity and platform. My current NYSC status which will end in another 4 months will not in any way impede the discharge of my duties as Minister of Art, Culture, and Creative Economy, which, on its own, is a higher call to national service.

I use this medium to publicly restate my loyalty and rededicate myself to the service of Nigeria. I will continue to serve faithfully and with all my energy to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu for a better, greater, and more prosperous Nigeria.

Hannatu Musawa

Minister of Art, Culture & Creative Economy

August 27, 2023

About The Author

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Politics

ACAGL, 23 affiliate organizations Withdraws Support for Nationwide Protest

Published

on

By

 

Kano- The Arewa Citizens’ Action for Good Leadership (ACAGL) and 23 other affiliate organizations in Kano State have announced their decision to withdraw support from the proposed nationwide protest, citing concerns over the potential for violence and instability.

Addressing the press conference, Comrade Saeed Sulaiman Umar, the spokesman for ACAGL, said the severe economic hardship and insecurity facing the country.

“The economic woes and general hardship are prevalent in Nigeria today,” Umar said. “Many hardworking people can no longer fulfill their basic responsibilities to their families.”

Initially, ACAGL actively participated in mobilizing people for the nationwide protest, considering the dire conditions of insecurity, hunger, and starvation.

According to him after careful consideration, they decided to withdraw from the planned protest.

He said the decision is borne out of the desire to prioritize the peace and stability of our Kano State and the northern region,”

He said . “We have witnessed the devastating effects of protests in some countries, where peaceful demonstrations escalated into violent conflicts, resulting in loss of lives and destruction of property.”

Despite their withdrawal, ACAGL said there is the need for urgent government action to address the pressing issues affecting Nigerians.

They called on the Kano State government to provide immediate relief to its citizens and presented several demands to the Federal Government, including tackling insecurity, reducing petrol prices, reversing electricity tariffs, and reducing the cost of governance.

“We believe that the timing of the protest is not in the best interest of the nation and may only serve to exacerbate the existing challenges,” Umar concluded.

 

 

 

About The Author

Continue Reading

Politics

We can comfortably handle LG elections- INEC chair tells NASS

Published

on

By

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said Thursday it can comfortably handle the conduct of local government elections if the responsibility falls on it.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the chairman of the commission, made the disclosure when he appeared before the joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters on preparations for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo States.

According to the chairman, INEC has the capacity to handle the local government elections, but that would only be possible pending when the law is amended to permit it to do so.

Prof. Yakubu noted that the Commission had been conducting area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, which has been devoid of the problems associated with the conduct of local government elections.

He outlined some advantages of INEC handling elections, including the conduct of regular elections as they are due, stability of tenure, and absence of a caretaker committee in the FCT.

The election umpire boss also claimed that there has never been a time when one political party has won all the seats at the elections, as is common in the states.

According to him, if INEC handles the election, it would be better for democracy.

Yakubu, however, said this can only happen if the constitution is amended to take the responsibility from state electoral commissions.

About The Author

Continue Reading

Politics

Doguwa dumps APC, gives reason

Published

on

By

 

 

Kano- The All Progressives Congress (APC)  has lost a strong member in Kano as Senator Masaud El-Jibril Doguwa dumped the party.

Doguwa made this announcement through a statement where he spoke on behalf of his colleagues and associates, on Thursday on reasons for dumping the party.

According to the statement, he cited the feelings of underutilization and the party’s implementation of anti-people policies as reasons for their departure from the APC..

He despite their wealth of experience in politics, they were rarely involved in party forums to share their expertise and contribute to the development of the APC.

“In politics, if you fail to engage highly experienced politicians by providing them with political assignments, you are making them politically redundant, and giving them room to struggle and engage themselves elsewhere. This is because highly experienced politicians don’t want to stay idle,’’ the statement said.

He further expressed disappointment with the APC government’s policies, which he believes are harmful to ordinary citizens. “After careful appraisal, I have discovered that some of the policies are anti-people-oriented and do not align with our political ideology.’’

“These policies are causing more harm and concern than good to the ordinary and common citizens of the country.

“From what we have seen happening in APC, we have not seen light in the tunnel where an ordinary man, big or small, will sigh a relief from the burden of life with the APC approach on issues.”

Senator Doguwa revealed that they have been appealed to by friends and leaders to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which they helped establish and develop. “We have taken a bold decision to return to our political base, the PDP, to continue as full-fledged members,” he declared.

He emphasized that their decision was made without malice towards any individual or group, expressing gratitude and seeking God’s blessings.

 

 

About The Author

Continue Reading

Trending

Share This