Olayiwola Matthew
The Zamfara State House of Assembly has declared the seat of one of its members, Aliyu Kagara, vacant.
This was contained in a statement by the assembly’s Chief Press Secretary, Bello Kurya, and made available to newsmen on Tuesday, in Gusau, the state capital.
According to the statement, Kagara’s seat was declared vacant because he had been absent from the House for an extended period, attending only 21 out of 180 sitting days.
It said the decision was made in line with Sections 101 and 109(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.
The statement partly read, “The Zamfara State House of Assembly has declared the seat of Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara, the member representing Talata Mafara South Constituency, vacant.
“This decision followed a motion presented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Bello Muhammad Mazawajje Tsafe, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Adamu Aliyu Gummi, during a plenary session.
“While presenting the motion, Hon. Bello Mazawajje noted that Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara had been absent from the House for an extended period, attending only 21 out of 180 sitting days. This, he explained, is a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and the standing rules of the House, which mandate consistent participation in legislative activities.
“Several members of the Assembly, including Hon. Kabiru Mikailu Dangulbi (Maru South), Hon. Rilwanu Marafa Nagambo Anka (Anka), Hon. Ibrahim Garba Liman Fegin Mahe (Gusau II), and Hon. Adamu Aliyu Gummi (Gummi II), expressed unanimous support for the motion. They emphasised the importance of upholding the House rules and constitutional provisions.”
However, Halliru Kuturu (Zurmi East) requested the house to consider any alternative disciplinary measures instead of the declaration.
After extensive deliberations, the Speaker of the House, Bilyaminu Moriki, announced the decision to declare the seat vacant.
The Speaker explained that the decision was made in line with Sections 101 and 109(2) of the Nigerian Constitution, citing Kagara’s persistent absenteeism as grounds for the action.
According to the statement, before the decision was taken, several committees were formed to engage with Kagara to address the issue, but all efforts to resolve the matter amicably proved unsuccessful.
Kagara, a member of the All Progressives Congress, served as the Minority Leader of the Assembly before his seat was declared vacant.