By DANJUMA JOSEPH, Lafia –
Two factional speakers have emerged out of the leadership crisis that rocked the Nasarawa State House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The two speakers are the immediate past speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, who emerged with 11 votes and Daniel Ogah Ogazi, representing Kokona East constituency, emerged at his own end with 13 votes.
While Mr Abdullahi was elected during a sitting at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ogah Ogazi, emerged as speaker from the proceeding at the Assembly complex, both of them located along Shendam road in Lafia.
Rt Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi was re-elected as Speaker of the 7th Assembly by 11 members-elect with Hon Jecob Kudu of Nasarawa Eggon East elected as Deputy Speaker.
Abdullahi was nominated by Muhammed Adamu Omadefu of Keana Constituency and seconded by Danladi Jatau of Kokona West.
The Acting Clerk of the House, Ibrahim Musa administered the oath of office.
Speaking after he was sworn in, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi assured the lawmakers of quality leadership in the next four years.
He said lawmaking will see a new direction that would impact positively on the lives of the people of the state.
Under his leadership as the speaker, he said the relationship that had existed between the three arms would be strengthen for the overall benefit of the state.
Speaking shortly after being elected as the speaker at the assembly complex, Hon Daniel Oga Ogazi, said his election was a new dawn that would give Nasarawa state a new political direction.
He appreciated his colleagues for the mandate and the people of Nasarawa State, promising to provide an inclusive leadership that will usher in a new dawn in the history of legislative business in the state.
“I’m so delighted and thankful to God Almighty for giving me this opportunity to be elected as the Speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
“I want to also thanked my colleagues for the confidence reposed in me I will not disappoint them and the people of the state. We are going to work with the executive and the judiciary to take the state to the next level of development” he said
Hon Muhammad Adamu Oyanki, representing Doma North Constituency, also emerged as the Deputy speaker.
Earlier, there was crisis between the two factions loyal to Balarabe and Ogazi, that led to sealing of the complex by security personnel.
The crisis forced the acting clerk of the assembly to postponed the planned inauguration of the members and the election of the principal officers.
A statement signed by the Acting Clerk of the House, Ibrahim Musa, indicated that the postponement was because of security threat.
“The Acting Clerk, Nasarawa State House of Assembly Ibrahim Musa wish to inform all Hon. Members – elect and the general public that based on security advice the scheduled inauguration of the first session of the 7th Assembly as directed by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule is hereby postponed”
“In view of the above, a re-scheduled time will be communicated to all Hon. members-elect and the general public”
“We regret any inconveniences this postponement may have caused” the statement said.
But in a turn of events, the Ogazi’s faction remained within the assembly complex incase of any eventuality, while the Balarabe’s camp reconvene at the Ministry for Local Government and held the election.
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