AL-HAU24news

By ESV Salihu Abdullahi Osuko

Following the release of a purported video making the rounds in Social media platforms that Hon Ogazi, Hon c jatau and other members of the Nasarawa State house of Assembly have openly endorsed Speaker Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi for 3rd Term , the Media team of Hon Daniel Oga Ogazi for speakership has described the video as a calculated desperate attempt by the incumbent speaker media boys to retain his seat by hook or crook.

Therefore Hon Daniel Oga Ogazi Media team hereby calling on the attention of his supporters and well wishers to remain calm and committed to the actualization of this Noble aspiration.

And for the avoidance of doubt Hon Daniel Oga Ogazi is still in the race and infact the leading contestant

The purported video was an old event when the 6th Assembly under the leadership of Speaker Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi was accused of corruption, witch hunting of government officials and maladministration as a result of the removal of the then secretary to the state government SSG Aliyu Ahmed Tijjani who was found guilty of corruption.

…..7th Assembly: Fierce battle in Nasarawa over Speaker’s seat
nasarawa.

As the opposition against incumbent Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. brahim Balarabe Abdullahi, thickens, more and more members of the assembly are daily indicating interest in his position. It’s been examined in Lafia the chances and challenges faced by the contenders in this report.
Ahead of the June 11th 2023 date for the proclamation of the 7th session of the Nasarawa State House of assembly, the race for the speakership has began in earnest with about four lawmakers jostling for the state number three position. The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State is seriously troubled as it could not secure an overwhelming majority over the opposition.

The ruling party clinched only 11 seats out of 24 seats, and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) got 8 seats, Social Democratic Party (SDP), three, while the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) secured two seats in the incoming 7th assembly.

Certainly, with this multi-party representation, there would be a lot of horse trading in the process leading to the choice of speaker and deputy speaker respectively. It will most likely not be a winner takes all situations. Both the ruling APC and the leading opposition, the PDP stand good chances of clinching the seat with good negotiation with the SDP and the NNPP. While most of those being named as contenders are yet to declare such interest openly, they have been making contacts and holding secret meetings to that effect. Observers also say their body languages appear to be confirming such. More so, none had denied the suggestions in the public space.

Presently, the top contenders for the hot seat are the current speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi (APC Umaisha/Ugye), Danladi Jatau (APC Kokona West), Daniel Ogah Ogazi (APC Kokona East) Hajara Danyaro (APC Nasarawa Central) who is the only woman in the incoming assembly and 2nd woman to be elected after 14 years since the first assembly in 1999. The opposition political parties who are in clear majority are allegedly working on an alliance to present one of them for the position of the Speaker of the next assembly. The Nation reliably gathered that the current Speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, who is angling to retain his seat for the 3rd consecutive time, will face the political battle of his life on the 11th of June 2023.

One among the factors affecting his chances is that his close allies (foot soldiers) are not returning to the 7th assembly. They include outgoing Majority leader and Whip, Tanko Tunga and Muhammed Muluku of Awe North and Nasarawa Eggon East state constituencies respectively. Some of the APC and PDP returning members in the next assembly, our correspondent gathered appeared to be strongly against the current Speaker retaining the seat for the 3rd time. Some are citing alleged high-handedness in the running of the house, while others believe it is not his birthright.

…Balarabe.

He is the current Speaker. He was first elected into the assembly in 2015, and he became the speaker. He was re-elected in 2019 as a member and also got re-elected as speaker. He has been re-elected again for the 3rd time in 2023 as a member of the assembly. A consummate legislator, Balarabe again wants to retain his position as speaker in the 7th assembly. He has been endorsed by Governor Abdullahi Sule even before his election on March 18th. His supporters say Governor Sule’s efforts in the provision of infrastructures and the attraction of investors into the state are the results of the progressive collaboration and support given by the Balarabe led assembly.

As a mark of his progressive credentials, Balarabe has sponsored many bills and has also deployed his well-known dexterity in consensus building. He was able to galvanise the assembly into wholeheartedly supporting the two governors he has worked with. His leadership of the assembly in the last eight years from Al-Makura’s second term (2015-2019) to Governor Sule’s first term (2019-2023), is remarkable. He deserves recognition and reward for loyalty. Those backing his return say it will be just and noble to appreciate his support and loyalty by ceding the next speakership to him to continue to support Governor Sule.

His major hurdle is his alleged high-handedness in running the affairs of the assembly, the inability of his party to secure majority seats, and the alleged views by some members that the position is not his birthright, as well as the underground plans by the opposition who now has the numbers to grab the speakership position. He will have to muster enough number of lawmakers to push through his ambition. To achieve this, he surely will have to reach out to the opposition lawmakers, especially in the SDP and the NNPP.

…Danyaro.

Her pretty face had become common place within the politics of the state. She served almost all the governors who have govern the state, from Abdullahi Adamu in 1999-2007, Late Aliyu Akwe Doma 2007-2011, Umaru Tanko Al-Makura 2011-2019 and Abdullahi Sule 2019, mostly as Special Adviser before she secured the house of assembly ticket. She has been contesting elections since 2015 without winning until this time. Hajara Danyaro is a team player and an easy going woman who is an efficient goal getter. She believes that what a man can do, a woman can do better. She has been consistent in her effort to represent her constituency.

She has demonstrated doggedness, consistency and perseverance in the pursuit of her political aspirations. Her struggle eventually paid off in the 2023 election circles, and she is coming to represents the good people of Nasarawa Central State Constituency under the platform of APC. She is the immediate past Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender and Education. She is a trail blazer in a male dominated political environment. She is an epitome of excellence. She is intelligent and has the capacity and capability as well as the pedigree to lead the 7th Nasarawa assembly as the first female Speaker in the state.

Her major obstacle is her alleged stubbornness. While this has worked for are in the past, it is feared that lawmakers are not comfortable with her alleged hard stances on some issues. It is also being debated whether the men dominated assembly would want a woman to led them. She will have to convince more lawmakers on her readiness to be amenable in other to achieve her aim.

Jatau
The representative of Kokona West state constituency is returning back to the assembly for a 3rd term. He is a close ally of the former Information Minister, Labaran Maku, who serves as the DG of the PDP campaign in the state. Jato had hitherto served as Maku’s personal assistant when Maku was minister. He equally dumped his position in the assembly as Minority leader and defect to APC as an ordinary member to support Governor Sule. Since them, he remains committed to whatever will promote the Governor’s progress and stability. His decision to dump a leadership position for APC is seen by many as an act of nobility and sacrifice worth rewarding by the party.

He is already making serious contacts among APC members elect and the opposition parties to support his Speakership bid. Several meetings to that effect were allegedly held. His long standing close relationship with Labaran Maku who has not seen anything good in the APC administration in the state might affect his chances, except he is able to get the support of the eight PDP members using Maku’s connection to deepen his Speakership ambition.

Ogah Ogazy
He is coming to represent Kokona East state constituency for the 3rd time under the APC platform. He is the deputy majority leader and chairman House Committee on Education. He had previously served as the Commissioner for Youths and Sports. He is not a political neophyte. He knows the game very well and understands the politics of the state and that of the assembly. He has the requisite knowledge to lead the 7th assembly. His major setback is that his colleagues in the APC, PDP and the other opposition parties might not be disposed to his ambition as their alleged verdict on him is not pleasant.

Intrigues
Our correspondent equally gathered that there are strong moves by the opposition PDP to bring its 8 members into an accord with 5 other opposition members from SDP and NNPP using their numbers to grab the leadership of the house. As the scheming continues, source said the incumbent Speaker is leaving no stone unturned to fight back. Last week, former lawmakers in the assembly visited the incumbent Speaker, Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi to congratulate him on his third time victory at the March 18th elections. The former lawmakers under the Association of Former House of Assembly Members were led by the association’s Chairman and Speaker of the Fourth and Fifth Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Musa Ahmed Muhammed.

Hon Musa said the present Speaker has spearheaded a rancour free assembly in the last 8 years that has translated to harmonious working relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government, hence their visit to identify with him. “Our elders said when you see a House is peaceful, that means there is justice in that house” the former Speaker said. Nasarawa State House of Assembly is one of the most peaceful, organized and performing state assembly in the whole county, we appreciate you for that, we give you kudos for that, we are proud of you because not easy to manage a house of equals, to manage 24 wise men. Keep the flag flying,” he added.

The former legislators said they are not surprised that Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi was re-elected in the just concluded polls given his track records of achievement in the handling of the gavel which has propelled the state government to implement resolutions that are transforming the state. Responding, the Speaker Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi appreciated the unity that is existing between the former and present legislators and sued for its sustenance, saying under his watch, the 5th and 6th assembly aside carving an image for the legislative arm in the State, strengthened harmonious working relationship between the legislative and executive arms of government.

Balarabe assured his visitors that he is working towards revolutionizing the legislative processes in the state to entrench good governance and accountability for posterity. He revealed that Governor Abdullahi Sule has passion and respect for the legislative institution and has done well for the state assembly. “You can see a lot of transformation in the House, there was never a time that I will take the House request to the Governor that he will not give it express consideration” the Speaker said. As the countdown to the June 11th 2023 inauguration of the 7th Nasarawa State House of assembly continues, analyst believed that the stage is set for a contest that appeared very unpredictable.

But who will wear the crown and lead the Nasarawa House of Assembly in this new dispensation? This is a question that only time has the answer to.

ESV Salihu Abdullahi Osuko
(Garkuwan Giza)