News Editor
- We will not condone disrespect from government official – Speaker
By David Odama
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, has warned government officials in the state against undermining the power of the House.
This is even as the the governor Abdullahi Sule Commissioner nominee, Yakubu Kwanta on Tuesday tendered unreserved apology to the lawmaker for Insubordination and disrespect displayed before the lawmakers during budget defense.
It would be recalled that the state House of Assembly had on Monday rejected the nomination of the immediate past Commissioner of environment, Yakubu Kwanta for what the house termed disrespect displayed earlier by the commissioner nominee.
Meanwhile, the house has confirmed 16 Commissioner nominees sent to the House on Feb.10 by Gov. Abdullahi Sule for approval as members of the State Executive Council.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau announced the confirmation of the nominees when they appeared for screening on Feb 17 and Feb.18 respectively during the House proceedings at the Assembly complex in Lafia.
The Speaker while congratulating the nominees, urged them to initiate good policies and programmes in their various ministries if finally sworn- in.
Speaker Jatau also urged them to live above board while discharging their official responsibilities.
“We hereby confirmed the nomination of Hon Umar Tanko Tunga from Awe LGA, Dr John DW Mamman from Kokona LGA, Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi from Doma LGA, Mr Gabriel Agbashi from Doma LGA, Barr Isaac Danladi Amadu from Karu LGA, Princess Margret Itaki Elayo from Keana LGA and Dr Ibrahim Tanko from Keffi LGA.
” Others are Hon. Mohammed Aga Muluku from Nassarawa Eggon LGA, Hon Aminu Mu’azu Maifata from Lafia LGA, CP Usman Baba (Rtd) from Lafia LGA, Hon. Mohammed Sani Ottos from Nasarawa LGA, Barr. David Moyi from Obi LGA, Dr Gaza Gwamna from Toto LGA, Barr. Jugbo Hauwa Samuel from Wamba LGA, Hon. Mu’azu Adamu Gosho from Wamba LGA and Hon. Yakubu Kwanta from Akwanga LGA,” he said.
The Speaker also urged the commissioner nominees to embrace policy direction of Gov. Abdullahi Sule for the overall development of the state.
He, then directed the Clerk of the House to communicate the House resolutions to Gov. Sule for his necessary action.
Earlier, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara (APC- Awe North) moved a motion for the confirmation of the commissioner nominees.
Hon. Luka Iliya Zhekaba, the House Minority Leader (PDP Obi 2)seconded the motion.
The House unanimously screened and confirmed the 16 commissioner nominees after lawmakers from their constituencies spokes on their leadership qualities and their positive contributions to the development of the state.
Earlier, the Speaker read an apology letter of the immediate past Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Yakubu Kwanta over his failure to defend the 2024 budget performance of the Ministry when he was a commissioner of the ministry in the state.
Hon Kwanta in the letter promised not to repeat such action, saying that to err is human, to forgive is divine while urging the assembly to forgive his actions when he served as a commissioner of the ministry.
The Speaker advised Hon. Kwanta to desist from such habit, adding that the House would not take it likely with anybody found wanting in his/her official assignment.
” We will never, we will never take it likely with you or any government official that undermine the powers of the House.
The Speaker of the House urged Hon. Kwanta to always respect the House and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
” Nasarawa State House of Assembly under My watch won’t tolerate disrespect from anyone,” the Speaker said.
In a related development, A Bill for a Law to Establish the Nasarawa State Character Commission and for Other Matters Connected Thereto passed first reading at the floor of the House.
The bill is being sponsored by Hon. Hudu A Hudu, the Chairman, House Committee on Finance and Appropriation and member respresenting Awe North Constituency.
The Speaker slated 26th Feb, 2025 for the second reading of the bill.
