Nasarawa Assembly crisis to end soon–Gov. Sule as varsity don decry negative effect on governance

By David Okpashi

The Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule has assured that the leadership face off at the State House of Assembly will soon be resolved for normal legislative activities, development of the state and to foster unity among the citizenry.

Gov. Sule said this when he received the Members of the 7th Nasarawa State House of Assembly led by the Speaker Rt.

Sule who congratulated the Speaker and members of the 7th Nasarawa State House of Assembly for the successful celebration of Eid El Kabir was quick to highlight that the leadership differences at the State Assembly will soon be over to pave the way for normal legislative proceedings.

According to the governor, *the people of the State were eager to see their representatives legislate on matters that affect the socio-economic development of their areas and the State at large rather than subjecting themselves to leadership crisis.

The Governor used the visit to inform the lawmakers about the breakthroughs being recorded in the investment front as seen in the one hundred million dollars investment by a lithium mining company in Onda area of Nasarawa Local Government Area.

Similarly, a University Don and former Commissioner of Agriculture in Nasarawa state, Professor Otaki Alanana has called on the members elect of the state House of Assembly to amicably resolve the lingering leadership crisis in the house in the interest of peace, unity and the growth of the state.

Speaking exclusively with Vanguard in Abuja, Otaki said the appeal has become necessary in view of the governance that has been slowed down as a result of the crisis in the state Assembly.

It would be recalled that the assembly leadership crisis broke out June 6, 2023 after two Speakers, Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi and Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi, emerged during the election of a Speaker for the 7th assembly

The former Commissioner noted that continued failure by the members-elect to resolve their differences would not only lead to violence among supporters of the political groups, but slow down development, progress and unity of the state.

He urged security agencies to ensure adequate deployment of its personnel across the 13 Local Government Areas of the state to forestall any breakdown of law and order that could arise from the crises.

“The ongoing leadership crisis at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly is very unfortunate. The 24 members-elect had the opportunity to address issues before the day of the Speakership election, but did not take proactive steps to forestall the issue in the Assembly.

“My appeal is that members should see themselves as representatives of the people as well remember that there is no other state we can call our own aside Nasarawa State, I, therefore urge you to put behind you your differences and settle the matter in the interest of our state.”

“Our security agencies should live above board at a time like this by deploy adequate operatives across the state to forestall breakdown of law that may arise as a result of the disagreements.”

He appealed to stakeholders especially the political gladiators to be at the forefront of peace, unity in spite of personal and collective interest, advising the external forces to play a mediatory role in the resolution of assembly matters.

“At a time like this, Citizens, residents and other stakeholders should set aside political interest and betterment of our dear state,” Otaki added.

While expressing gratitude to governor Abdullahi Sule for his state fastness in ensuring unity, development of the state in the face of the doubting challenges confronting the state, the don also seek the understanding of supporters of the various interest groups in the crisis by remaining calm for the peaceful resolution of the crisis.