Falana Demands Buhari’s Removal, Cites Constitutional Grounds For Impeachment

• “For them, it’s a reasonable statement to ask the president to resign. But for me I submit by virtue of section 143″

Against the backdrop of prevalent insecurity and perennial economic downturn leading to biting inflation, Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has implored the National Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against President Muhammadu Buhari.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event to mark world Press Freedom Day, Falana said the Buhari administration has lost credibility and has “outlived its usefulness” following troubling and appalling state of the nation.

The vociferous legal luminary said Nigeria was at war, as the current administration can no longer perform its function of securing lives and properties, Plus TV reported.

He bemoaned the spectre of insecurity that haunts the nation, stressing that the country is ravaged by security challenges such as banditry and mass abductions currently raging across northern parts of the country and the South-West as well as sustained attacks on security formations by unknown gunmen in South-East and South-South. He explained that the Boko Haram insurgents have taken over the North-East.

“Our country is going through war. In the North-East the Boko Haram sect is having an upper hand, don’t be deceived,” Mr Falana said, noting that the insurgents are now in Niger and Kebbi.

“I’m sure you know what is going on in the South-East, no policeman or soldier can wear his uniform- it’s as bad. I’m sure you know what is going on in the South-West, kidnapping, ritual murders all over the place. So, nowhere is safe in our country,” he said.

Barely two weeks ago, Ekohotblog reported that Boko Haram had taken over communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, imposing VAT and income taxes on residents.

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Citing the section 143 of the constitution which provides that “The President or Vice-President may be removed from office in accordance with the provisions of this section,” Mr Falana berated the current administration saying that “a regime that has outlived its usefulness boasts that no one can suggest that the president should resign.

“For them, it’s a reasonable statement to ask the president to resign. But for me I submit by virtue of section 143 and we didn’t put it. If the president is unable to perform the primary functions of his office, the National Assembly shall move for him and ensure that he is neatly taken away out power through the process of impeachment,” he said.

According to the lawyer, Nigeria has attained that stage because the government has failed in its primary duties.

“I think Nigeria has gotten to that stage because section 14 (2) (3) provides that the primary purpose of the government in Nigeria shall be the security and welfare of the people, so if the government can neither guarantee your security nor your welfare, what is left for that government to be sacked,” said the lawyer who once claimed that Buhari’s administration knows those that are breaching the peace of the country.

Nigeria has been engulfed by deepening security crisis under the lethargic government of Buhari, as rampaging non-state actors continue to ramp up daily attacks, leaving Nigerians doubts as to whether the retired major general is still in control of the country.