Nasarawa LG gets new speaker

A new speaker has been elected for Nasarawa Local Government Area in Nasarawa State.

Hon. Shu’aibu Umar (APC, Loko Ward) emerged victorious to replace the former Speaker, Hon. Paul Ahijo Onaigu, who was removed over allegations of financial mismanagement.

A press release signed by Yohana Zameni Kure, the clerk of the legislative arm of Nasarawa Local Government Area, dated November 23, 2015, stated that having established facts in respect of Onaigu, who was earlier placed on suspension at the sitting of November 17, 2015 over the mismanagement of funds meant for the House and giving fair hearing to the suspended speaker, a motion was moved by the Minority Leader passing a vote no-confidence on the speaker.

The move was seconded by Hon. Abdulkarim Haruna a councilor representing Nasarawa East.

This move called for the removal of the speaker and the consequent nomination of Umar of Loko ward as the new speaker.

While 11 members out of the 14 councilors present endorsed the new speaker, the ousted speaker; the Majority Leader, Hon. Muhammad Eha of Guto/Aisa; and Hon. Ocheche of Tunga/Bakono, staged a walked out at the point of the removal of the ex-speaker.

When contacted on the matter, newly inaugurated Chairman of the council, Hon. Ayuba

Wandai Usman, confirmed that he received a letter from the legislative arm of the council

through the Clerk of the House about the leadership change, which brought Loko into power.

Usman said as a law abiding leader and democrat, there was nothing he could do than to stand by their resolutions because it is strictly the business of the House.