Zamfara Assembly Dismisses Absentee Lawmaker, Declares Seat Vacant

The Zamfara State House of Assembly has dismissed one of its members, Hon Aliyu Ango Kagara and declared his seat vacant.

This was contained in a statement by the Chief Press Secretary of the House, Malam Bello Madaro Kurya and made available to newsmen in Gusau yesterday.

According to the statement, Hon 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.

The statement added, “This violates the Nigerian Constitution and the standing rules of the House, which mandates consistent participation in legislative activities.”

“The decision was made in line with Sections 101 and 109(2) of the Nigerian Constitution, citing Hon. Kagara’s persistent absenteeism as grounds for the action”.

The statement reads in parts as follows: “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, Hon. Halliru Abdullahi Kuturu (Zurmi East) requested the house consider alternative disciplinary measures instead of the declaration.

After extensive deliberations, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki announced the unanimous decision to declare the seat vacant.

The Speaker explained that the decision was made by Sections 101 and 109(2) of the Nigerian Constitution, citing Hon. Kagara’s persistent absenteeism as the basis for the action.

According to the statement, several committees were formed before the dismissal to engage with Hon. Kagara to address the issue, but all efforts to resolve the matter amicably proved unsuccessful.

It could be recalled that Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), served as the Minority Leader of the Assembly before his seat was declared vacant.