Jigawa Assembly threatens to impeach Speaker

From Ahmed Abubakar, Dutse

The Jigawa state House of Assembly members are getting set for a showdown with the Speaker, Honourable Adamu Ahmed Sarawa, who faces impeachment threat from 22 members, out of 30.

The crises, which was said to have manifested since the first tenure of the Speaker over the members allegation that he was running a one-man show in the affairs of the House, the development that nearly caused the majority leader, Hon. Jafaru Kukuma to attempt to resign but for the intervention of some members.

Reports from the state House of Assembly indicated that the lawmakers started the move of impeaching the Speaker earlier last week and had already gained support of 2/3 of the House members, during an emergency meeting in an undisclosed venue last weekend.

Sources in the state Assembly told journalists, on condition of anonymity, that the members were piqued by the manner with which the house leadership, under Speaker Sarawa, has become submissive and powerless against the executive arm of government in the state.

The source added that the Speaker sometimes deliberated on several issues without the consent of his colleagues and that even motions and counter-motions are often being rehearsed inside the Speaker’s office before commencement of deliberations on the floors of the Assembly.

The source said the manner with which they are being treated has reduced their impetus and charisma before their constituent electorates.

He said the most recent of such accusations was when the state government released Hajj seats for the members but that the Speaker instead gave the seats to his family members and close associates.

Our reporter, who visited the premises of the Assembly, observed that the House members have deserted their offices while it was reported that they went to see the governor to lodge their grievances against the Speaker, for his urgent intervention.

Efforts to get the Speaker for comment proved abortive, as his phone could not be reached; he also didn’t reply the text messages sent to him. But the Deputy Speaker, Abdul Dauda Karkarna denied any rift, saying “the House is intact against any crises”.