General News
Nasarawa Assembly crisis: Court extends order stopping Balarabe, Kudu from parading selves as Speaker, Deputy
By David Okpashi
A Federal High Court, Abuja, has extended order, stopping Ibrahim Abdullahi Balarabe and Jacob Ajegana Kudu from parading themselves as the Speaker and Deputy Speaker respectively of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA).
The order earlier issued by presiding judge, Justice Obiora Atuegwu Egwuatu on Friday June 16 following an exparte’ motion filed by Hon.
Meanwhile, a group under the auspices of Concerned Nasarawa APC Stakeholders is laying claims that Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi has remain legally and authentic speaker of the 7th assembly in Nasarawa state
Spokesman of the group, Alh.
While applauding the position taken by the leadership of the party in the State arising from the resolution of its stakeholders, the group noted the glaring exclusion of other major stakeholders which they considered as deliberate, hence the Governor’s apology on behalf of the party.
” We commend the resolution by the party to allow the rule of law prevail while the party intervene to find a lasting solution to the Assembly impasse.
The group urged the party leadership in the state to ensure the patriotic step taken to deepen unity in the party for future engagements and elections is take seriously.
“It is no news that the Speaker Daniel Ogah Ogazi led majority of the Assembly, dissatisfied with the brazing disregard to rule of law by the Balarabe group and his continuous impostor as Speaker of the 7th Assembly, has sought the court to stop him from parading self as Speaker, an issue that still awaits court determination.
“As stakeholders who have worked tirelessly for the success of the party at all levels in the past and recent elections and whose position on the Assembly crisis only seek to entrench democracy, question a statement credited to the Publicity Secretary of the Party, Douglas Otaru describing Rt. Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi, the Speaker of the 7th Assembly, his principal officers and other stakeholders of the party as rebels and unrecognized members of the party.
“With this clear exclusion from the recent caucus meeting, the APC has clearly dumped the noise maker who has never won elections in his own polling unit.
The group described the few sponsored endorsements in the state by some self-serving persons as sychophancy, immoral and will not stand the test of time.
Those who stand against legality, fair play can never stand on the side of justice. The vote of confidence passed by a few self acclaimed Akwanga APC Stakeholders led by Kwanta Yakubu and the unfortunate Assembly Member, Larry Ven-Bawa on Speaker Balarabe, speaks volume of their ignorance of our extant laws.
“Our position is firm, in the eye of the law and in line with global best democratic practices, Rt. Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi remains the authentic speaker of the 7th Assembly, unless otherwise determined by the court”, the group insisted.
The same Otaru who in his opinion, best described the Ogazi led principal officers as rebels and unrecognized members of the APC in the state, is one person who the party considers as worthless and with no electoral value.
In the same way, the assembly leadership led by the former Speaker, Balarabe led group have also laid claims that Balarabe remain the speaker of the 7th assembly pending court hearing October 12.
According to the Balarabe led had claimed that the Presiding Judge of Federal High Court (FHC) sitting in Abuja, Hon.Justice Obiora has refuted the news going on in both electronic and social media that he has restrained Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, and His Deputy, Hon.Jacob Kudu from parading themselves as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Nasarawa State House of Assembly.
“The Court said it has never granted such order of restraining the Speaker Balarabe and his Deputy, Hon Kudu.
Justice Obiora disclosed this during the court sitting on the matter today in Abuja.
The Court was duly informed by the learned SAN Matthew Bukaar, who stood in for the Speaker, the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and the Learned SAN I. M. Dikko Esq, who also stood for the Deputy Speaker and other Members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly sued as Defendants in the case that Nasarawa State is peaceful and the legislative activities under the able leadership of Rt. Hon. Speaker Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi is peacefully going on for the good of the peace loving People of Nasarawa State.
The Court emphasized the need to maintain peace and order in the State.
The matter was adjourned to 12/10/2023.
Speaking to journalists on the matter, Barr. M I Zanwa advised journalists as professionals to always verify information before going to the press to avoid misleading the public attributing the misinformation to lack of regulations of the social media.
“Journalists are known for investigative journalism through facts and accuracy but with the advent of social media some of them do copy and paste which is on professional because anybody can use social media at his comfort zone and write anything he wishes”
“I was shocked when I noticed a reputable media outfit like Arise TV went on air with the report without verified ”
” The issue is clear just as the SAN told the Presiding Judge, the State is peaceful and legislative activities are on smoothly under the Speaker Rt.Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi”
“The matter is simple, the Governor has directed the Clerk through proclamation to inaugurate the House and election was conducted by the Clerk with all machinery, the Clerk, the Mace and the Sergeant-at-arm including the date, the Governor’s letter did not give venue and beside that is insignificant because Clerk has already cited security reasons and by the way, we all know, I am a former lawmaker Ministry For LG has been our alternative chamber all this while ”
” in every situation we have doctrine of necessity, this is democratic set up you can live a state to stay without legislators, the assembly most exist, so the number of members at the house at the moment can not denied the State from existing without legislators, the vacuum will be fill gradually as time progresses and the court is fully aware of that, those sworn in by the Clerk as demanded by the law are the lawmakers for now”
Meanwhile, the caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State led by Governor Abdullahi Sule had resolved to allow the rule of law to prevail over the Assembly’s leadership tussle while they exploit other diplomatic means to find lasting solution to the crisis.