AL-HAU24news

From Suleiman Abubakar

The forum of Former Members, Nasarawa State House of Assembly, comprising of lawmakers who served in the then Plateau State House of Assembly and those from First to the last Six Assembly has thrown their weight behind the emergence of Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi as Speaker of the Seventh Assembly in the State.

The forum urged Hon Daniel Ogazi to retrieve his steps now over Speakership position, adding that his efforts would be in futility because the House has an established process that its leadership always emerge.

The forum made their position known during a courtesy visit to the Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi in his residence today in Lafia.

The Chairman of the forum, who is also a Two term former Speaker of the state legislature, Rt. Hon Musa Ahmed Mohammed, said all efforts by the forum to meet Ogazi, factions proved abortive as he refused to see them for any discussion or advice.

” In the interest of the state and party supremacy as well as respect for His Excellency, Gov. Abdullahi Sule, we want to advise Hon Ogazi to retrive his steps as his efforts will be in futility.

” We are strongly behind the House leadership of Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi because of his all inclusive and purposeful leadership,” he said.

The former state legislators have declared their support for the emergence of Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi as the Speaker of the Seventh Assembly to allow the interest of the state government prevail.

Ahmed, also called on Hon Ogazi to respect party supremacy on the issue of the Speakership.

” Our mission is three, one to congratulate you, pray for you and declare our support for you, secondly to encourage you and the Governor to keep on going with your good works and lastly to see the two factions, how we can persuade Ogazi to withdraw from the dangerous mission and allow interest of Governor prevail because now and always Government interest will supercedes” He added.

Responding, the Speaker Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi informed his visitors that he wouldn’t have availed himself for the contest if the ruling party, state government and critical stakeholders are not at home with his leadership style and demanded for his service again.

“Ogazi came to me and told me that he is under pressure to contest speakership against me and I wonder where the pressure is coming from and I told him you will have betrayed our trust because you know am contesting”

He said the 7th assembly under his watch just like the previous ones will continue to legislate on issues of development to provide a save ground for the administration of Gov Abdullahi Sule to strive so as to bring government closer to the masses.

He added that he has ruled the House for Eight years in peace, harmony and fear of God and if not calls from critical stakeholders, party and those that matters for him to serve again what else did he want.

“we are friends and colleagues up to this moment and so shall it remain I assured you, I am a loyal party man and advocate of peace and good governance therefore my support for government and leaders as well as respect for my colleagues remain intact” Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi emphasized.