A Group, under the auspices of Nasarawa state Transparency, Accountability and Good Governance (NS-TA&G2), has urged Governor Abdullahi Sule to sack the State Accountant General (AG), Musa Ahmed Mohammed for his alleged active participation in political activities while still occupying sensitive public offices in contravention of the Electoral Act.
The convener of the group, Mr. Lazarus Salaki made the call during a press briefing in Lafia the state capital.
He said the AG was allegedly engaging in covert political activities, including secret meetings and the promotion of campaign materials linked to the “Barade Network”, a politically inclined group closely linked to him.
“It is on record that the Nasarawa State Government, through an internal memo dated 16 April 2024, and it was issued by the former Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Muhammad Ubandoma Aliyu, which directed all political appointees with aspirations for elective offices to either resign from their positions or await the official lifting of the ban on political activities by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC,” the group said.
Mr Salaki further observed with deep concern that certain political office holders within the current administration have disregarded this directive and are busy holding secret political meetings.
“This conduct is not only a violation of electoral regulations, but also a serious distraction from the administration’s core value or vision of exceeding expectations.
“Premature politicking undermines effective governance. It also fosters division and erodes public trust in our institutions“.
The group however commended Governor Abdullahi Sule’s directive in accordance with section 84 subsection 12 of the Electoral Act 2022, which states that all political appointees must resign from their positions before engaging in any form of political activity.
The convener call on all political appointees to demonstrate restraints and uphold the neutrality required of their offices, particularly the State Accountant General, to act as a
leader, to demonstrate unwavering focus and loyalty to the administration’s developmental agenda.
Efforts to reach the Accountant General, Musa Ahmed for comments proved abortive as he neither answered calls nor responded to text messages sent to his phone line at the time of this report.
Confidence Okwuchi