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•Says action politically motivated
From Abel Leonard, Lafia
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Turaki of Lafia, Alhaji Abubakar Usman Sandaji, has criticised the decision of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly to suspend the Chairman of Lafia Local Government Area, Hon. Mohammad Haliru Arabo, describing the move as “deeply flawed, politically charged, and dangerous to democratic governance.”
Sandaji, who addressed journalists at the NUJ Press Centre in Lafia on behalf of a group, on the auspices of the Nasarawa Council for Protection of Democracy (NACOPOD), said the Assembly acted “with undue haste” and without providing credible evidence to justify the three-month suspension handed to the chairman.
He further said “The suspension was predicated on allegations that the chairman intruded into the impeachment process of the Speaker of the Lafia Legislative Council, yet the House has failed to provide any iota of evidence. To suspend an elected official for such claims without proof is not oversight; it is overreach.”
He accused the Assembly of violating Arabo’s right to fair hearing, insisting that the chairman has “absolutely no responsibility” for the internal affairs of the legislative council.
“As a steadfast democrat committed to constitutional governance, Hon. Arabo has consistently championed the autonomy of the legislature and refrained from interfering in its deliberations,” Sandaji stated.
The APC stakeholder also faulted the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Hon. Aminu Muazu Maipata, for allegedly worsening the situation by recognising the suspended Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uba Arikya.
He described Maipata’s action as “an affront to legislative autonomy and a violation of the principle of separation of powers.”
Reacting to the Assembly’s claim that the suspension would pave the way for an impartial investigation, Sandaji dismissed the statement as contradictory.
“A punitive suspension before investigation effectively pronounces guilt before trial. This is a blatant denial of the presumption of innocence,” he said.
Sandaji further alleged that the suspension was politically motivated, linking it to Arabo’s open support for the political ambition of former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu Abubakar.
“It is an open secret that Hon. Arabo is a strong supporter of the former IGP, whose rising popularity has created anxiety within the current power structure,” he alleged. “We strongly suspect that this suspension is part of a calculated attempt to intimidate and weaken allies of this emerging political force ahead of the coming electoral cycle.”
NACOPOD, therefore, called on the Assembly to reverse the suspension and follow due process if there are genuine issues requiring investigation.
The group also urged Governor Abdullahi Sule to ensure that democratic institutions in the state are not used for “political witch-hunts.”
“We call on His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Sule, to rise above partisan considerations and urgently intervene to restore constitutional order and peace in Lafia Local Government,” Sandaji appealed.
He added that NACOPOD would formally communicate its concerns to the governor, the Police, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
“The Nasarawa Council for Protection of Democracy stands firmly for justice, due process, and the autonomy of local governments,” he said. “We will continue to monitor the situation and rally well-meaning Nigerians to resist any attempt to undermine our democracy.”
The press conference comes amid heightened political tension in Lafia following the leadership crisis in the local government council.
