News Editor
By David Odama
Nasarawa State House of Assembly Monday rejected to screen of the the governor Abdullahi Sule nominee, Yakubu Kwanta but screened 7 other Commissioner nominees.
Yakubu Kwanta rejection was allegedly hinged on what the lawmakers described as insubordination on the part of the commissioner nominee, Yakubu Kwanta during the first screening exercise, Monday in Lafia.
The House which suspended the screening of Hon. Yakubu Kwanta, the immediate past Commissioner for Environment over his failure to appear before the House committee on Environment to defend the ministry’s 2024 budget performance when he served as commissioner.
The Lawmakers also cited his failure to appear before the House on invitation describing it as a total act of insubordination to an institution that screened and confirmed him as a Commissioner for two consecutive times.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau stepped down the screening when the member representing Keana Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Environment Hon. Muhammed Adamu Omadefu raised the issue during the screening of Commissioner nominees at the Assembly complex
The Speaker said that the House would only consider him for the screening, if he send strong apology letter to the House over his act of indiscipline and insubordination to the House when he was a commissioner of Ministry of Environment.
The Speaker suspended Kwanta screening when he and other 7 commissioner nominees appeared for their screening during the House proceedings in Lafia
He said that the assembly would not allow any government officials to undermine the powers of the House.
“Hon Yakubu Kwanta should send strong apology latter to the House over his action when he served as commissioner before we will think of considering him or not for the screening” the speaker stated.
Earlier, Hon Mohammed Adamu Omadefu, the Chairmen, House Committee on Housing and Environment cited various constitutional provisions that banned a nominee to appear in the hallowed Chamber for screening.
“Hon Speaker and my Honourable colleagues, the nominee, Hon. Yakubu Kwanta, the immediate past Commissioner for Environment during our oversight functions, failed to appear before our committee to defend his ministry budget. For his failure to appear before this House to explain why he failed to defend his ministry’s budget performance., he should tender strong apology before we consider him to appear in this hallowed chamber for screening” he said.
On their parts, Hon. Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Hon Ajegana Jacob Kudu and Hon. Hudu A Hudu also supported the submission of Hon Omadefu and called for apology from Hon. Yakubu Kwanta in order to safe the integrity of the House.
“We can not compromised our integrity to please the governor. The right people who are seen to be well discipline should be allowed to hold the public office in trust. We will continue to ensure that discipline are applied by those saddled with public offices”, the lawmakers stated.
“For Hon. Kwanta to failed to appear to defend his ministry budget, he has disrespected not only the committee but the entire House. No individual can be greater or allow to undermined the institution.
However, the House, has screened 7 out of the 16 commissioner nominees submitted by Gov. Abdullahi Sule on Feb.10. for approval as Members of the State Executive Council.
The Speaker congratulated the nominees and urged them to discharge their duties with the fear of God, if finally confirmed and sworn in as members of the State Executive Council.
“We hereby screened 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 from Karu LGA, Princess Margret Itaki Elayo from Keana LGA and Dr Ibrahim Tanko from Keffi LGA.
Earlier, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara (APC-Awe North) moved a motion for the screening of the commissioner nominees which was seconded by the House Minority Leader, Hon. Luka Zhekaba (PDP- Obi 11).
The House unanimously screened 7 commissioner nominees after lawmakers from their various constituencies gave good testimonies in favour of the nominees to add value to the governance of the state.
In a related development, A Bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment of Nasarawa State House of Assembly Legislative Budget Office and for Other purposes Connected Thereto passes first reading at the floor of the House.
The bill is being sponsored by Rt. Hon. Abel Yakubu Bala, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House and member representing Nassarawa Eggon West constituency.
The Speaker slated 24th February, 2025 for the second reading of the bill.
