Don’t take majority status at the 10th Assembly for granted, you will be shocked – Former Speaker warns Bauchi PDP-led administration

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Members of the Bauchi State House of Assembly at the valedictory session

By Akanji Alowoludo, Bauchi

The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has been cautioned not to take for granted that it has majority members in the 10th Assembly unless if it wants to be taken by surprise considering the fact of separation of power in democracy. 

The caution was given by the Speaker of 8th Assembly of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Kawuwa Shehu Damina during the valedictory plenary session of the 9th Assembly held at the Chambers of the Assembly. 

According to him, “the ruling party in the State that they may look a their majority in the 10 Assembly as a blessing, however, if care isn’t taken, it will be a great setback to the government unlike in the 9th Assembly where both the APC and PDP members as well as the Government were skeptical about everything.”

Damina representing Darazo Constituency however thanked the Almighty Allah for enabling them to be alive to witness the day and the opportunity to serve their people and the State. 

He thanked his colleagues, staff and security agents as well as the people of Darazo Constituency for electing him for two terms and appealed to the Clerk of the House and staff , being the engine room of the House,  and returning members to help the incoming ones in capacity building.

He noted that even at the National Assembly it is difficult for lawmakers to win return tickets, which he said is  detrimental to development.

The former Speaker also called on the Clerk to engage in training and retraining of staff and should not rely on government allocations for the trainings because there are NGOs that are ready to help in capacity building and trainings. 

Damina also called on members of Committees in the 10th Assembly and staff to intensify oversight functions, saying that a lot should be done at the Committee levels.

He then sought for forgiveness on their mistakes and shortcomings and where they did well they requested for prayers and commended the Speaker for his leadership.

He sternly advised the Speaker, Abubakar Sulaiman that, “You may be reelected as Speaker, you should learn from your mistakes, use your experience, what can be pardoned in your first term will not be forgiven in the second term. Try your best, see the development of the incoming ones.”

Also speaking, Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Tukur Ibrahim representing Toro/Jama’a Constituency, thanked everyone and wished them  well.

The Minority Whip, Hon. Wanzam Muhammad representing Sakwa Constituency expressed gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity given to him to serve the people.

According to him, ”Today is a sad and happy day. Happy for being healthy to attend this final plenary, sad because we will miss our colleagues with whom we have become family.”

He commended the Speaker, Abubakar Y Suleiman for the development they have recorded which he said came because of the leadership of the Speaker.

He extolled the patience and leadership skills of the Speaker despite the fact that the Assembly is very difficult to lead especially because of the composition of the Assembly. 

Hon. Wanzam Mohammed noted that the Members brought development to the State despite their differences and urged all members to forgive each other.

The Deputy Majority Leader, Baballe Abubakar Dambam representing Dambam/Dagauda/Jalam Constituency said that he was happy and pleased that the day was the last day of his representation of his Constituency.

He thanked the Members for the work they have done together and noted how he has contributed in his Constituency and the State. 

On losing the 2023 election, he urged those who lost the election to see themselves as victorious than those who won election because it is more burden on them and  will be a day of giving account of their leadership to Almighty Allah on the day of judgement.

He said that, “You that won the election have more burden on your necks. The least leadership position you get the least you will be questioned on the day of judgement.”

According to him, “You should know that leadership is a trust and burden on everybody. Justice is what will save you on the day of judgement. Those who will return to the Assembly are at more risk on the day of judgement than we that lose the election.”

He advised the Members that whoever knows he has done bad to his people should go back and seek for forgiveness of his people and the almighty Allah.

The Deputy Chief Whip, Hon Bello Muazu Shira representing Shira Constituency prayed that Allah will bless all the Members and staff. 

He thanked the people of Shira Constituency for giving him the opportunity to serve and recalled that during his four-year term, he lost his mother and prayed for the repose of her soul. 

He thanked staff and his secretaries for making his work easy and extend the best wishes to the Speaker just as he prayed to Almighty Allah to choose the best for them as they leave the Honourable House.

On his own, Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi representing Lame Constituency said that everything that has a beginning must have an end, he therefore advised the Members that in any situation, they should be prayerful and hopeful. 

“Among all APC members that contested I am the only one that return, I find it difficult to believe. Those who lose should pray may it be blessing in disguise.” He said.

Hon. Bala Rishi also said that though they were majority in the 9th Assembly and now Minority in the 10th Assembly, they can still help their people and  thanked his Constituency, colleagues, staff and asked for forgiveness.

Hon. Bala Abdullahi Dan representing Duguri/Gwana Constituency thanked Almighty Allah and his Constituency for electing him to serve them for four years and reelected him to serve again. 

He sought for forgiveness and extend best wishes to the non-returning Members.

Hon. Bello Sarkin Jadori (Gamawa Constituency) thanked all colleagues, staff for the work they did together. 

He recalled that he was in 7th Assembly but didn’t return to 8th Assembly but returned in the  9th Assembly, saying this should serve as lesson to those who lose their bid to return in the 9th Assembly.

Hon. Sarkin Jadori sent best wishes to those who lose their return bid and  thanked Gamawa Constituency for the first, second and third term they have given him.

14. Hon. Gazali Abubakar Wunti (Ganjuwa West Constituency) thanked his Constituency, staff and colleagues and seeks forgiveness from all especially the leadership of the House. 

He recalled that there was a Bill on merger of BRC and BATV which caused misunderstanding in the House, he therefore urged the 10th Assembly to revisit the Bill to see if it has merit for passage.

“From the record, we have moved 131 motions but the government didn’t implement any of motions.

” It’s disheartening that you will bring motion and the government would ignore it. The 10th Assembly should try to change this situation. It’s not about the number of motion but the implementation.” He lamented.

Hon. Gazali observed that there is deficiency in oversight, thus the 10th Assembly should do better. 

He advised the Speaker that since there is big hope he will return as Speaker, he should empower committees to exercise their oversight functions. 

Hon. Gazali Abubakar asks for forgiveness from constituents and colleagues for any wrong he has done and sends best wishes to colleagues.

However, the Speaker countered the claim of Gazali that many of the motions moved in the House were implemented by the Government. 

According to the Speaker many motions were implemented by the Government in which he gave examples of roads constructed in Ningi after his motions and many other projects executed after the Honourable House moved motions.

Hon. Babayo Muhammad (Hardawa Constituency) thanked Almighty Allah for sparing their lives to deliver the burden of representation on their heads. 

He thanked his Constituency, colleagues, staff and secretaries for their cooperation, adding that he is happy that his committee received two commendation letters for their good work.

Hon. Babayo Muhammad expressed his gratitude to the House because everybody sees him as a father. 

“I can’t thank you enough for the respect. Whenever we the elders talk in this House you obey. I hope that the members of the 10th Assembly will also respect the  elders.”

He commended the unity that existed which make the 9th Assembly unique and urged the 10th Assembly to emulate. 

Hon. Babayo Muhammad thanked Hardawa Constituency for the reelecting him for second term and urged them to pray for him so that he can deliver again.

Hon. Musa Wakili Nakwada (Bogoro Constituency) expressed his gratitude to Almighty God and the people of Bogoro Constituency for giving him the opportunity to serve.

“As Spokesperson of the Honourable House and the only Christian in the House, I am very  much grateful because I have never witnessed any discrimination.

“In this four years,I lose my secretary Auwal may Allah repose him. I had a ghastly accident but Allah spared my life. I am friend to all the 30 members. I thank you. I thank the Clerk, staff all working in the House and hope that the 10 Assembly will give all casual staff permanent appointment.

“We came from APC PDP and NNPP and same thing happened in the 10th Assembly. We must thank the members of APC for the cooperation they have given us. We hope same will happen in the 10 Assembly.

“We pray that since the speaker has returned, even if he didn’t return as Speaker, he has experience, he will contribute positively like how Kawuwa Shehu Damina has done in the 9th Assembly. I Seek for forgiveness from everyone. Nobody wronged me, I have forgiven even the wrongs that didn’t happen,” he said.

Hon. Sabo Bako Sade representing Sade Constituency prayed that the Members will make good use of what is said during the valedictory and wished everyone journey mercies.

Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir representing Disina Constituency expressed his gratitude to Almighty Allah for the opportunity and thanked staff especially committee secretaries who are the secret behind their success.

He also thanked Disina Constituency for giving him the opportunity to serve them for the first term and reelecting him again for second term. 

He told those who are not returning not to lose hope because if one has done the right thing even if he loses people will one day look for him to return and thanked the Governor for his contributions to the development of the State and asked for forgiveness.

Also, Saleh Muhammad representing Jama’are Constituency expressed his gratitude to Almighty Allah for sparing their lives to reach this important day. 

He thanked his Constituency for the opportunity they gave him to come to the House to serve them despite his young age saying, “I am the youngest member but all members see me as friends. I am grateful and I am speechless. I enjoyed how we lived here. May Allah bless you all.” 

He added that, “I will use this opportunity to clear the air on some misperception of my personality. I am, quiet and reserving person,I don’t talk much and some people misinterpreted this to be arrogance.

“It’s not arrogance this is not my nature. At first my first contest some people said that I was arrogant but later they understood me. 

According to him, “People should understand me. I have hearing impairment, sometimes you will talk to me but I wouldn’t hear, in the event this happen, I apologize, it’s not my fault.”

On the election loss, Saleh Muhammad said that all that happened are lessons, those who returned should know that achievements or lack of achievements don’t guarantee election victory.

He said that there was no Assembly that was dedicated to their Constituency than the 9th Assembly, therefore they did not lose election because if poor performance.

 Hon. Yunusa Ahmad representing Warji Constituency thanked the people of Warji for the opportunity to serve them for 8 years and said that he is grateful to staff and management of the House for enhancing their capacity.

He reflected back to what happened during the commencement of the 9th Assembly and congratulated those who returned and consoled those who lose. 

He wished those who have cases in Tribunal the best of luck and prayed that the next assembly will have successful tenure, urging them to secure autonomy so that they will have the opportunity to do the needful.

Hon. Yusuf Muhammad Bako representing Pali Constituency thanked the people of Pali for giving him the opportunity to represent them in the Assembly, he also thanked the staff for guiding them to succeed. 

According to him, “We started with some but we didn’t finish. I pray that as we leave the House, we will meet more blessings. I Seek for forgiveness from my Constituency and my colleagues.” 

He added that, “Mr Speaker, since you are returning to the next Assembly, I urge you to come to the help of our colleague, member representing Burra Constituency, Hon. Ado Wakili who had fractures in his ribs that medical treatments abroad.” 

While responding to the request, the Speaker said that the House will look at the matter and act accordingly.

Hon. Yusuf Inuwa Dadiya representing Ganjuwa West Constituency prayed for all the deceased.

He drew the attention of the Members to good relationship between them and forgiveness, he cited a Hadith of the Prophet and some verses of the Holy Qur’an to show the importance of forgiveness and brotherhood.

He urged the Members to go back to their Constituencies and seek for forgiveness. The people will forgive and Almighty Allah will forgive them.

He then led the House to a special session of prayers. 

The Speaker said that the valedictory session marked the end of the sitting of the 9th Assembly and however, their tenure will officially end on the 19th of June, 2023. 

Therefore the Speaker asked the Majority Leader to move a motion for the adjournment of the plenary sine die and the House adjourned sine die, as moved and seconded by the Majority Leader and the Minority Leader.