Following the Supreme Court judgment, which removed the erstwhile governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, Captain Idris Wada was recently sworn-in as the new governor. Mr Tonnie Punanga, the coordinator of a human rights group, speaks on the issue, among others with Charles Akinsete. Excerpts.

What is your take on the recent judgment of the court which nullified the tenure elongation of five governors?
The Supreme Court is the apex court in the land. And its judgment must be respected because it tallies with the rule of law. I have said this in several fora that the tenure of a governor starts from the day he is sworn-in, whether it was a rerun or not. The Constitution is very clear on this. The governor already is in charge of the affairs of the state the very moment he is sworn-in. Therefore, without any attempt to spite anybody, I think it is a reasonable decision and many people have also applauded the decision of the court.

But many people are saying that the decision will affect the smooth running of the states?
The court has delivered a judgment, based on the evidence that the tenure elongation issue is wrong. That is the issue. So, are you saying because of that, the judgment should not take place? Two wrongs cannot make a right. In addition, I don’t believe the smooth running of any state should be affected because there is a provision in the Constitution, which takes care of that. In the case of such actions, the Speaker of the state, according to Section 191 (2) of the Constitution, will take over as an acting governor, pending the time for a new election.

There are indications that the speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly has gone to court to challenge the swearing in of Captain Idris Wada in the State.
The very salient point here is that the court’s interpretation of the judgment has not been followed to the letter. I believe that is enough reason for the speaker to head for the court. I believe the case would, in this regard, be rectified so as to pave way for immediate smooth governance of the state.
Well, unlike some politicians who would go to the streets, unleashing harm on innocent citizens, he has gone to court to seek the interpretation of the judgment. He has a right to go to court; I think he has taken the right step in the right direction. Let’s hope that the court would settle the case once and for all.

But Captain Wada has already been sworn in...
(cuts in). But believe me, there are agitations in some quarters that the due process was actually not followed. As a rights activist, I personally have received complaints from some quarters on this issue. All I am saying is that by not following the court’s judgment to the letter, we are already paving way for a legalised anarchic politicking. We must be careful that the country is not allowed to gravitate to that level. Let the court decide on this matter.

But Captain Wada was already the governor-elect. Don’t you think Kogi State is a different scenario?
The rule of law is the rule of  law. These are just sentimental assertions. That is why the law, if followed to the letter, should be blind to all these. The fact is that the highest court in the land has delivered a judgment. It should, first, be followed. There is nothing more that brings anarchy to the land than when the Constitution is bent to suit certain interests. I hope the court decides on the matter so that the people of the state can begin to look forward to proper governance.

President Goodluck Jonathan recently sacked Hafiz Ringim as  the Inspector General of Police (IGP). What is your comment?
Many people have applauded this decision and frankly speaking, I am one of them. If a man fails to do his job as his master wants it, he can be sacked. The president, as much as he has full responsibility to every Nigerian, cannot be everywhere.
The president is working. He is taking his time, but he is surely working. And there is no doubt that he has the interest of Nigerians at heart. Even the opposition knows this! Nigerians should know that there are certain bad elements whose sole aim is to bring down his government. Nigerians need to rally round the president to put such people to shame so that meaningful development can take place.