Nasarawa State Assembly Factional Speaker Swears In 3 Members-Elect

A factional Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi has sworn in three members-elect as members of the 7th Assembly.

Abdullahi performed the ceremony during an emergency sitting at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Lafia.

Those sworn in included; Mr Mohammed Oyanki (PDP- Doma North), Mr Ovey John (PDP-Keffi East) and Mr Hudu A Hudu ( APC- Awe North).

He congratulated them and wished them best of luck in their legislative duties.

He Speaker said; “I congratulate all of you. It is a demonstration of love for our state and people.

“We have collectively resolved to partner with Gov. Abdullahi Sule in order to bring speedy development to communities across the state.

“We have given our commitment to our people to solicit for development of our various constituencies, hence, the need to effectively partner with the Governor.’’

Abdullahi urged them to abide by the oath of office that they had taken.

He called on the lawmakers to continue to have love for the state and their people, stressing that the interest of the state should be their first priority.

The Speaker urged members to discharge their duties without fear or favour.

While speaking with newsmen shortly after their inauguration, Mr Mohammed Oyanki, who was the Deputy Speaker in Mr Daniel Ogazi led faction, said they had decided to join Abdullahi in the interest of peace, unity and development of their constituencies and the state at large.

“In the interest of our people and the state, we decided to join Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the Assembly to contribute our quota to the development of the state,’’ he said.

He assured the Speaker of their support to succeed.

Also Speaking, Mr David Maiyaki, the Senior Special Assistant to Gov. Abdullahi Sule on State Assembly Liaison called on members yet to be inaugurated to get inaugurated in the interest of the state.

The Inauguration of the 7th Assembly, by Mr Ibrahim Musa, Acting Clerk of the Assembly, was postponed citing security advice.

After the postponement, leadership crisis erupted where two speakers emerged with Abdullahi and Ogazi leading different groups.

While 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 Abdullahi as the Speaker for the state 7th Assembly.

According to report, the Governor of the state, is in support of Abdullahi as the authentic speaker.

Not relenting, on June 10, Ogazi went to a Federal High Court in Lafia seeking to stop Abdullahi (APC-Umaisha/Ugya) and Mr Jacob Kudu from parading themselves as speaker and deputy speaker of 7th Nasarawa State House of Assembly among other requests.

NAN/ Mercy Chukwudiebere