“… why nasarawa assembly never conducted speakership election since inception 24 years back, but go for consensus …..” Investigation reveals.
From Leo Zuanke, Nassarawa
A very reliable source from the Secretariat of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State, has revealed that the party leadership yesterday Tuesday held a marathon meeting of the State Executive Members of APC in Presidential Lodge, Government House Lafia.
This the source said the meeting has just one agenda which was the position of the Speakership of the State Assembly expected to be inaugurated in know distance time.
” I am telling you authoritatively that the meeting took place at Presidential Lodge in Government House Lafia and had Governor Abdullahi Sule in attendance as well as APC State Chairman, Dr.John mamman, his Secretary, Alh. Aliyu Bello and all the Eleven APC members – elect were in attendance as well as the State Deputy Governor Dr Emmanuel Akabe ”
“The APC Chairman Dr. John mamman was the one that opens the flow and went straight to the point that the party has resolved and settled for incumbent Speaker Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi for continuity and consolidation, adding that Speaker Balarabe’s leadership was fruitful, peaceful and beneficial to the entire State and John Mamman position was collaborated by the party secretary Alh. Aliyu Bello”
“The flow was opened for comments and contributions from members – elect where some of them spoke before the final submission was made by Governor Sule”
“The Governor was point blank on his position, desire and stands on the choice of incumbent Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi”
“The Governor was not tactical but open and straight that his candidate is Balarabe Abdullahi and the need for Members – elect to support his choice which eventually is the choice of the party”
It was also gathered that Hon. Danladi Jatau (APC Kokona East) who is also contesting for the Speakership position as a loyal party man and for the respect he has for the Governor may thrown off his ambition and support the Governor and party choice.
The meeting was said to commenced around 2pm and lasted for about three hours.
Investigation has revealed that since the inception of Nasarawa State House of Assembly 24 years ago from 1999 to date, election of Speaker was never held for the six term session so far and it was all through consensus.
This was as a result of peace, unity and understanding in the State Assembly as a family affairs and it is believed and hoped that by next week inauguration of the 7th assembly members – elect will sustain same.
A pace has already been set and it is hope that members – elect shall do that in unity and peace by nominating a competent Speaker through consensus which has already been established in the system that produced late Musa Agyo 1999 to 2003, Ogoshi Onawo 2003 to 2007, Musa Ahmed Muhammed 2007 to 2015 and Balarabe Abdullahi 2015 till date.
Though the first, second, third and fourth assemblies in the state were inaugurated all on June 6, but the 5th and present 6th assemblies were inaugurated on 9th and 10th June respectively and this was as a result of the fact that the two dates fall on Thursday and Friday which are not sitting days of the House that are usually Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays hence the shift and may be this June 6th which is Tuesday May likely be the inauguration day of the 7th assembly though it depends on proclamation by the Governor.
