Nasarawa assembly leadership crisis resolved, Balarabe- Abdullahi re-elected Speaker
By Linus Ogbu, Lafia
Members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly have elected Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi (APC- Umaisha/Ugya) as the Speaker of the 7th Assembly.
They have also elected Mr Abel Yakubu Bala (PDP- Nassarawa Eggon West) as the Deputy Speaker of the 7th Assembly respectively.
Mr Ibrahim Musa, the Acting Clerk of the House announced this during the inauguration of the members of the 7th Assembly on Friday in Lafia.
He said that the inauguration was in line with Governor Abdullahi Sule’s proclamation as well in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Mr Mohammed Oyanki (PDP- Doma North) nominated Balarabe for the position of the Speaker which was seconded by Larry Ven-Bawa (APC- Akwanga North).
Dr. Peter Akwe ( PDP- Obi 1) nominated Bala for the position of Deputy Speaker which was seconded by Alhaji Suleiman Yakubu (APC- Awe South)
The Clerk thereafter inaugurated the Speaker and Deputy Speaker while the Speaker of the House inaugurated other members.
In his acceptance speech, the Speaker, Alhaji Abdullahi, pledged to provide all inclusive leadership in the interest of peace and development.
”I want to congratulate Honourable members on your inauguration and for elected me to serve as Speaker of the seventh assembly.
”I have presided over the affairs of this Assembly in the last eight years with all sense of fairness and fear of God. I want to assure you that I will continue in that spirit.
”I will also continue to operate an open door policy as I have done in the last eight years,” he said.
Balarabe- Abdullahi assured the staff of the assembly of his continued readiness to improve on their welfare.
The Speaker assured Governor Sule of the House continued partnership and collaboration for the overall development of the state.
”We must join hands with other arms of government to achieve speedy development across the state,” he said.
The Speaker further appreciated Gov. Sule for renovating the House for effective service delivery.
All 24 members were in attendance during the inauguration.
Recall that the inauguration of the 7th Assembly by the Acting Clerk was postponed, citing security advice from the government.
After the postponement, leadership crisis erupted where two speakers emerged with Balarabe-Abdullahi and Ogazi leading different groups.
While Balarabe-Abdullahi was elected at a sitting in the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs by 11 out of 24 members, Ogazi was elected by 13 out of 24 members at plenary at the State Assembly complex.
As the crisis escalated, the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC), led by its Chairman, Dr John Mamman on June 9 endorsed Balarabe-Abdullahi as the Speaker.
According to report, the Governor is in support of Balarabe-Abdullahi as the authentic speaker.
Not relenting, on June 10, Ogazi went to a Federal High Court in Lafia seeking to stop Balarabe-Abdullahi and Mr Jacob Kudu from parading themselves as speaker and deputy speaker among other requests
