Senator Dino Melaye has described as an “absurdity” President Muhammadu Buhari’s announcement of a lockdown of Lagos and Ogun states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Buhari had announced the 14-day lockdown in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, saying it was to curb the spread of coronavirus.
In a series of tweets, Melaye, who was in the 8th and 9th Senate for Kogi West, said the president’s action on Lagos and Ogun amounted to usurping the roles of the governors and houses of assembly of the two states.
He said it was not allowed in a constitutional democracy.
Melaye wrote, “You will recall that I had a broadcast one week ago asking for the lockdown of Abuja and Lagos. This buttresses the fact that I support measures to contain the Coronavirus pandemic but it must be done in accordance with the law. Nigeria is practising constitutional Democracy.
“And it is an absurdity for the President to take over the affairs of any state without the express approval of the State House of Assembly. In the Presidential broadcast today, the President did not invoke his power of Emergency as prescribed by S.305 of the Constitution of Nigeria.
“And even if invoked, it must be with the approval of the National Assembly. The President acted outside his powers to restrict movement without approval of the National Assembly. I, therefore, advise Mr. President to take appropriate constitutional steps and do the needful quickly.
“As we need lockdown. This is a very important decision but must be done in line with all democratic norms. God bless Nigeria as I pray for divine intervention from God Almighty. Only Him can rescue us.”
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