NEWS: Why we suspended six lawmakers - Nasarawa assembly

– Six APC lawmakers in Nasarawa state were suspended for plotting to take over the leadership of the state assembly

– The deputy speaker, Hon Godiya Akwashiki said they violated the house rule

 – He said they would be punished if found guilty

In a dramatic twist, the Nasarawa state House of Assembly has given a different reason why it suspended six of its members. According to the House, they were suspended because they were plotting to take over the leadership of the assembly, Leadership reports.



Recall that the lawmakers; Kassim Mohammed-Kassim (APC-Akwanga South); Murtala Sodangi (APC-Nasarawa Central); Mohammed Okpoku (APC-Udege/ Loko Musa Ali(APC-Keffi East); Makpa Malla (APC-Wamba) and Abubakar Kana (APC-Kokona West) were suspended indefinitely on Tuesday, April 5, over alleged misconduct during proceedings the previous day.

 Addressing newsmen in in Lafia, the deputy speaker, Hon Godiya Akwashiki alleged that the affected lawmakers had already drafted portfolios each of them will occupy if they succeeded in toppling the incumbent leadership of the Assembly.

 He further explained that they were suspended by the assembly based on their violation of the House rule section 38 (subsection 1, 2 and 3) which prohibits any member from going to press without permission, which, according to him, the six suspended members had done so.

“Consequent upon their strange behaviour, the assembly was left with no option than to suspend them indefinitely and set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate and report back to the house in a month’s time.

 “Moreover, if they are found guilty by the committee they would face the punitive prescription of the law, but if otherwise, they would be recalled back to continue with their legislative business,” Akwashiki said.

 Members of the Nasarawa assembly were engaged in a brawl on Monday, after six lawmakers stood against the decision of the state governor, Umaru Al-Makura, to swear in 11 administrators without their approval.

 The next day, the six lawmakers were suspended indefinitely without pay.