The governor of Wau State on Tuesday refused to approve the assembly’s vote of no confidence against health minister, James Patrick Ibrahim.
Earlier this month, state lawmakers passed a vote of no confidence against the minister after he failed to appear before them to answer questions relating to alleged corruption within his ministry.
Speaking at a meeting with MPs in Wau town, Governor Angelo Taban Biajo said the assembly’s vote didn’t meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment.
He pointed out that the MPs fell short of a two-thirds majority needed to impeach a state minister. “It is very difficult constitutionally sometimes. If you are 34 MPs, then 22 members plus one member can pass a vote of no confidence. Those who passed the vote of no confidence against the minister were 18 members only,” he said.
“If I decide to approve the vote of no confidence passed by the 18 MPs, it will be a chance to a small number of MPs to impeach ministers at will, and this issue may continue,” he added.
On her part, the acting speaker of the state assembly, Viola Alexander Umeli said the governor has no right to reject the impeachment resolution passed by the assembly.
“Article 89 of the state constitution does not allow anyone to interference in the assembly’s procedures, “she said.
Alexander said that they will not reverse the impeachment resolution against the health minister.
According to Article 114 of the state constitution, upon a vote of no confidence passed against a minister, he or she shall resign or be removed from office by the state governor.