Mazoji Describes the Noise Surrounding Hannatu Musawa’s Matter as Unnecessary
By Abdullahi Muhammad Sheka
Why should the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria continue to waste their time accusing the minister of being a corps member? They should instead focus on sensitive issues affecting poor people in Nigeria, especially now that hunger is impacting them. Hon. Zaharaddeen Babba Mazoji, an elder statesman of PDP in Katsina state, expressed this during a media chat this week.
Mazoji stated, “To me, her appointment could be seen as a form of service to the nation. She may be required to adhere to the NYSC rules to receive no further remuneration beyond what is payable under the NYSC Act to an average corps member. The issue of prosecution or other consequences may not arise.”
He added, “From what we understand, it is not a criminal offense; I don’t know why a respected arm of the judiciary continues to cry over it. The NYSC Act is clear; service is compulsory for every Nigerian who has graduated from school. What she has done is not a criminal act. There is nothing in Nigerian law that states someone like her cannot become a minister.
“Zaharaddeen Babba Mazoji advises the noise makers to refer to Section 147(5) of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the qualifications for anyone to be appointed as a minister. It states that no one should be appointed unless they are qualified to be elected as a member of the House of Representatives. The disqualifications or qualifications for a member of the House of Representatives are found in Section 66, and none of these disqualifications apply to Barrister Hannatu Musawa.”
According to Mazoji, her appointment is a form of service to the nation, and she might not be prosecuted for the matter at hand. Mazoji emphasizes that her appointment as a minister should be regarded as part of her national assignment.
With this, Babba Mazoji calls for the dismissal of the petitions filed against the Honourable Minister and urges a focus on issues addressing hunger, insecurity, unemployment, and the rising inflation, including the continuous increase in the value of the Dollar.
