Niger Assembly Suspends Plenary Indefinitely Over Dispute With Executive
The Niger State House of Assembly has suspended plenary indefinitely following what lawmakers described as unresolved issues with the executive arm of government.
The decision was reached during Tuesday’s sitting after a motion moved by the member representing Chanchaga Constituency, Mohammed Abubakar-Kabir, popularly known as Ustaz. He urged the House to halt legislative proceedings until all outstanding matters between the legislature and the executive were addressed.
Abubakar-Kabir did not disclose the nature of the issues in contention but warned that history would judge the current Assembly harshly if lawmakers continued to overlook matters affecting the institution.
According to him, members have a responsibility to protect the independence and integrity of the legislative arm by confronting challenges that could undermine its constitutional role.
The motion was seconded by the member representing Borgu Constituency, Abdulrahman Gambo.
However, the proposal sparked opposition from some lawmakers. The member representing Lavun Constituency, Jibrin Ndagi-Baba, moved a counter-motion, arguing that the House should not suspend its legislative activities over disagreements with the executive.
The ensuing debate generated sharp divisions among lawmakers, with exchanges between supporters and opponents of the motion nearly degenerating into a rowdy session.
Amid the heated arguments, Speaker of the House, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, intervened and appealed for calm, urging members to respect differing opinions and maintain order in the chamber.
Following deliberations, the Speaker directed that the motion be subjected to a vote. A majority of lawmakers voted in favour of suspending plenary.
The House subsequently resolved to suspend all plenary sittings indefinitely and proceeded into an executive session to deliberate on the unresolved issues with the executive arm of government.
The development marks a significant escalation in the relationship between the legislature and the executive in Niger State, although details of the dispute remain undisclosed. (NAN)