Speaker, Nasarawa State Assembly & 23 Members-elect Receive Certificates of Return
Amina Mohammed, Lafia.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented certificates of return to the Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, and twenty-three (23) other members-elect for the State Assembly.
The presentation of the certificates of return took place at the INEC Headquarters, Lafia, the state capital, and was conducted by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Abdul-rahman Othman Ajidagba and supervised by the INEC Commissioner in charge of North-central, Muhammed Kudu Haruna.
The Speaker expressed happiness for the unique day, which he described as double celebration for him and the State.
Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi was first elected Speaker of the 5th Nasarawa State House of Assembly in 2015 and was unanimously re-elected for a second term as Speaker of the 6th Assembly in 2019.
And he was yet again re-elected for a third term in the just concluded 18th March 2023 Gubernatorial/ State Assembly Polls.
Balarabe-Abdullahi represents Umaisha/Ugya state constituency in the State Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Speaker, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, who led other members to the event, said the legislative arm of government is committed to promulgating laws that will steer development, based on the yearnings and peculiarities of the state.
He expressed gratitude to God Almighty for his re-election and pledged to continue to contribute positively to the development of the state:
“I want to assure you of my readiness to continue to provide effective, sound, and quality representation to the people of my constituency and the state at large.”
It would be recalled that after elections in the twenty-four (24) State constituencies, fourteen (14) new legislators were elected along with ten (10) returning legislators, who secured their tickets, being led by the Speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi to the INEC Headquarters in Lafia to receive their Certificates of Return amidst euphoria.
One after the other, the state parliamentarians received what could be tagged as a “Symbol of Authority” with huge expectations from the people of Nasarawa State as affirmed by the Speaker of the House Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi.
The speaker who is returning to the hallowed chamber for the third time said the state’s legislative arm of government is committed to legislating on issues that have a direct bearing on the lives of the people.
In an interview, a first-timer, Hon. John Ali Dizaho, who is to represent Karu/Gitata constituency, said the next Assembly should be research-driven to conform with modern reality.
In all, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) produced eleven (11) members in the just concluded polls, leaving the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with eight (8) while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) settled for three (3), leaving the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) at the bottom with two (2) members.
Among those who received their certificates of return include Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi (APC- Umaisha/Ugya); Nehemiah Dandaura (APC-Akwanga North); Daniel Ogazi (APC-Kokona East); Danladi Jatau (APC- Kokona West); Ibrahim Nana (APC-Keffi West); Muhammad Omadefu (APC-Keana); Suleiman Yakubu (APC- Awe South); Hajara Danyaro (APC-Nasarawa Central); Emmanuel Manding (APC-Wamba); and Hudu A. Hudu (APC-Awe North).
Others are Abel Bala (PDP – Nassarawa Eggon West); Ibrahim Akwe (PDP-Obi 1); Luka Zhekaba (PDP-Obi 2); John Ovey (PDP) Keffi East; John Dizaho (PDP- Karu/Gitata); Aliyu Chunbaya (PDP-Akwanga South); Esson Mairiga (PDP- Lafia North); and Muhammed Onyanki (PDP – Doma North).
The new and returning state legislators also include: Onarigu Onah Kana (SDP- Udege/Loko); Musa Saidu Gude (SDP- Uke/Karshi) as well as Solomon Akwashiki (SDP- Lafia Central).
And on the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) platform are: Mr. Muhammed Isimbabi Garba (NNPP Toto/Gadabuke) and Mr. Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (NNPP – Doma South) respectively.
Edited by Amaka E, Nliam
