By Musa Baba Adamu
The Zamfara State House of Assembly has sacked one of its lawmakers, Aliyu Ango Kagara and declared his seat vacant.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary of the House, Malam Bello Madaro kurya yesterday, Kagara’s seat was declared vacant because he has been absent, and has not attended plenary for over 180 sitting.
“This is a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the standing rules of the House, which mandates consistent participation in legislative activities”, the statement added.
“The decision was made in line with Sections 101 and 109(2) of the Nigerian Constitution, citing Kagara’s persistent absenteeism as grounds for the action”
The statement reads in parts, “the Zamfara State House of Assembly has declared the seat of Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara, the member representing Talata Mafara South Constituency, vacant”
“This decision followed a motion presented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Bello Muhammad Mazawajje Tsafe, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Adamu Aliyu Gummi, during a plenary session”.
While presenting the motion, Bello Mazawajje noted that Aliyu Ango Kagara had been absent from the House for an extended period, attending only 21 out of 180 sitting days”.
“This, he explained, is a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the standing rules of the House, which mandate consistent participation in legislative activities”.
“Several members of the Assembly, including Hon. Kabiru Mikailu Dangulbi (Maru South), Hon. Rilwanu Marafa Nagambo Anka, Hon. Ibrahim Garba Liman Fegin Mahe (Gusau II), and Hon. Adamu Aliyu Gummi (Gummi II), expressed unanimous support for the motion”.
“They emphasized the importance of upholding the House rules and constitutional provisions”.
However, Halliru Abdullahi Kuturu (Zurmi East) requested the house to consider any alternative disciplinary measures instead of the declaration.
After extensive deliberations, the Speaker of the House, Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, announced the unanimous decision to declare the seat vacant.
The Speaker explained that the decision was made in line with Sections 101 and 109(2) of the Nigerian Constitution, citing Kagara’s persistent absenteeism as grounds for the action.
According to the statement, prior to the dismissal several committees were formed to engage with Kagara to address the issue but all efforts to resolve the matter amicably proved unsuccessful.
Recall that Aliyu Ango Kagara, a member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, was the Minority Leader of the Assembly before his seat was declared vacant.
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