Arewa Group Faults Momoh Over “Illegal” Appointment of Yakawada as Chairman of Development Commissions

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Arewa Youths for the Sustenance of Democracy and Good Governance (AYSDGG) has criticized the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, over the appointment of Hon. Lawal Sama’ila Abdullahi Yakawada as Chairman of all Boards of Commissions under the Federal Ministry of Regional Development.

The group described the appointment as illegal and unconstitutional, insisting that it contravened the enabling Acts establishing the various Development Commissions.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday at Chartwell Hotel, Bauchi, AYSDGG Coordinator, Engr. Aliyu Musa Aliyu—flanked by the association’s Secretary, Lawal Abdullahi, and other stakeholders—said the Minister lacked the legal authority to make such appointments.

Aliyu stressed that, under existing laws, the power to appoint Chairmen of the Regional Development Commissions rests solely with the President, subject to Senate confirmation, not the Minister. He described the action as “ultra vires, unconstitutional, null and void,” adding that it undermined the principles of separation of powers, transparency, federal character, and good governance.

“Until the Acts are amended by the National Assembly, no one has the power to go outside the laws that established these Commissions,” Aliyu declared.

The group warned that the move amounts to a usurpation of presidential and legislative powers under the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

AYSDGG therefore called on the National Assembly, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society organisations, security agencies, law enforcement bodies, and the media to resist what it termed “an undue attempt to gag the Development Commissions.”

Aliyu urged the Minister to retrace his steps and reverse the appointment, or risk facing legal action. The group also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to call the Minister to order as a demonstration of respect for the rule of law.