W. Bahr el Ghazal governor responds to court petition
April 08, 2015 (WAU) – Western Bahr el Ghazal state governor Rizik Zachariah Hassan has officially responded to a petition filed against him in the constitutional court by the ex-assembly speaker.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the state information minister, Mary Madut said the state government will respect the rule of law.
“As per our respect to the judiciary, the constitutional court and role played by the two in imposing justice and protecting the constitution, we therefore, preferred not to interfere into legal aspects in order not to obstruct the course of justice, therefore, we
believe in our capability of responding to the case set before you,” Madut told reporters at a briefing in the capital, Wau on Tuesday.
The minister, however, said the path taken by the former speaker had allegedly created conflict between the executive organs as well as the state legislators, whose activities have been slowed.
“As per the power conferred by the constitution of the state driven from the national constitution, the assembly is independent in administrating its own internal affairs with no interferences from the governor,” the minister said.
She said a fact-finding committee headed by the country’s cabinet affairs minister in the last year exonerated the finance minister who has been a victim of a vote of no confidence passed by legislators.
“The council of state formed a committee headed by the cabinet affairs minister that went to Wau for a fact finding [mission] and later recommended that procedures taken against the finance minister were contrary to the [state] constitution,” Madut said.
The minister also faulted the former speaker for exercising his powers in the state assembly to lift the immunity of three lawmakers, who were implicated for involvement in Wau crisis in December 2012.
“The former speaker is the one who lifted their [MPs] immunity off. He was the only one who was responsible of lifting their immunity. Now on this matter, where is the fault of governor here?” Madut said.
“We would like to draw your attention to the dangers engulfing the state, which requires our unity and strengthening of internal fronts beside continuous support to the government,” added the minister.
Mayar was removed from the speaker’s position in February this year after 27 out of 43 MPs passed against him a vote of no confidence.
(ST)