By Beauty John, LAFIA
Nasarawa State Hosue of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Council, Mohammed Sani Ottos and the Deputy Chairman, Karu Local Government council, Lawal Yakubu Karshi for insubordination.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, announced this after Chairman, House Committee on Local Government, Mohammed Alkali moved a motion on the insubordination activities of the affected council officials, seconded by Hon Daniel Ogazi, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, during the House emergency sitting in Lafia, Monday.
The speaker said that for the chairman of Nasarawa LG and Deputy Chairman, Karu Local government council to abandon their official duties to attend the court case of the former Secretary to the Government of the state (SSG), Alhaji Aliyu Tijani Ahmed is disservice and act of insubordination.
“The Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government Council is hereby suspended pending the investigation on his act of insubordination.
“The Deputy Chairman of Nasarawa Local Government is hereby directed to take over the affairs of the council on acting capacity with immediate effect
“The Deputy Chairman, Karu Local Government Council should also proceed on suspension.
“And the Commissioner of Police is hereby directed to provide adequate security cover to acting Chairman of Nasarawa Local government Council as the investigation lasts, ” he said.
The speaker expressed dismay on how the Nasarawa Council boss abandoned his people on the eve of election to attend court case that does not concern government instead of being on ground to assist the security agents in ensuring peaceful Nasarawa Central constituency bye election.
According to him, The Chairman is paying more allegiance to the former SSG than this institution and the government which is uncalled for.
“The Chairman of Nasarawa Local government and Deputy Chairman, Karu Local Government were sighted in the court on the matter that is against the House and the people of the state forgetting that the House is responsible for the law that brought them into office.
All other lawmakers who contributed during the sitting supported the move, noting that they would never give room for any one to rubbish the image of the institution.
The Speaker also set up a seven-man committee to investigate the two affected local government officials. The speaker gave the committee three months to work and submit its report.
Members of the committee are Dr. Peter Akwe to serve as Chairman of the committee, Mohammed Alkali is the Deputy Chairman of the committee while other members of the committee are Hon Mohammed Omadefu, Hon Mohammed Agah Muluku, Hon Aliyu Dogara, Hon Danladi Jatau while the Deputy Clerk of the House Ibrahim Musa is the Secretary of the Committee.
Responding, Mohammed Sani Otto, Chairman Nasarawa local government area said he was only acting in solidarity to his former boss and friend.
The chairman told our correspondent in a phone conversation that he had no knowledge that his action would contravene the House rule.
When asked if he is aware that his deputy has been instructed to assume his position, to superintend the affairs of the local government pending when the issue is resolved, he said he is aware and is comfortable with it.
