Press statement from the Rivers State PDP.
The Rivers State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) insists
that former governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi is not qualified to be
appointed as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This is
consequent upon the fact that the combined effect of Sections 66 (1)
and 147 (5) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as
amended and read together, disqualifies Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, former
governor of Rivers State from becoming a Minister of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria.
In view of the foregoing, it is instructive to spell out the constitutional
provision which states as follow:
Section 66 (1) (h) states thus: “No person shall be qualified for election
to the Senate or the House of Representatives if he has been indicted for
embezzlement or fraud by a Judicial Commission of Inquiry or a
Tribunal set up under the Tribunal of Inquiry Act or a Tribunal of
Inquiry Law or any law by the Federal Republic of Nigeria or State
Government which indictment has been accepted by the Federal or
State Government respectively”.
Furthermore, Section 147 (5) states thus: “No person shall be appointed
as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria unless he is qualified
for election as a member of the House of Representatives”.
Suffice it to hold that Section 147 (5) as spelt out above unequivocally
states that what qualifies or disqualifies a member of the House of
Representatives applies to a Ministerial Nominee, for which former
governor Chibuike Amaechi is one.
The PDP hereby states that Hon. Justice George Omereji Judicial
Commission of Inquiry indicted Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, and the report is
accepted by the Rivers State Government and the White Paper duly
issued.
Against this background therefore, the PDP further insists and submits
that by the provisions of the law as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution
as amended, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi is not qualified to be a Minister
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Signed:
Jerry Needam
Special Adviser On Media And Publicity
To Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah
Monday October 12, 2015