Nasarawa State has witnessed widespread protests in response to the suspension of the inauguration of the 7th Nasarawa State House Assembly by Governor Abdullahi Sule. The Governor cited alleged security threats in the state as the reason behind this controversial decision.
The 6th Assembly officially concluded its term after a valedictory session last week. However, Daily Trust’s early morning visit to the Assembly premises on Tuesday revealed a heightened security presence. Security personnel from the Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Service (DSS), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were stationed at strategic locations to ensure law and order.
Security agencies had barricaded the road leading to Shendam halfway, permitting travellers to carry on with their business activities and preventing protesting youth from accessing the Assembly premises.
Tension escalated when the immediate past Speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, and some suspected loyalist members-elect arrived at the Assembly ground around 3:30 am to reelect him, but hastily departed fearing possible attacks.
The protesting youths expressed their preference for Daniel Ogazi as Speaker, voicing their frustration over the “imposition of unpopular candidates against the people’s choice”. Alongside Balarabe-Abdullahi, Ogazi (representing Kokona East), and Danladi Jatau (representing Kokona West) have all expressed interest in vying for the speakership in the 7th Assembly.
These three potential candidates, all members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), will need to secure votes from both their party and the opposition. APC holds 11 seats, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has eight, and the remaining seats are held by minority parties such as the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who have three and two seats respectively.
A statement issued on Tuesday by the acting Clerk of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Musa, confirmed the indefinite postponement of the 7th Assembly’s inauguration due to security concerns. The statement concluded, “In view of the above, a rescheduled time will be communicated to all Hon. Members-elect and the general public. We regret any inconveniences this postponement may have caused.”
