The crisis rocking the Nasarawa State House of Assembly has come to an amicable end, with the factional Speaker of the House, Daniel Ogazi yielding to pressure from stakeholders and stepping aside.
Mr. Ogazi, who disclosed this at a press conference on Friday in Lafia, said his decision was in the interest of the state.
The crisis broke out on June 6, 2023, after two Speakers, Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi and Hon. Daniel Ogazi, emerged during the election of a Speaker for the 7th assembly.
While Abdullahi, a two-term Speaker of the House was backed by the state Governor, Ogazi was backed by the majority of the members of the House, who accused the former Speaker of being a puppet to the Executive.
Since then, members of the assembly had been polarized into two different groups, with both Balarabe and Ogazi leading each of the two groups as speakers and holding plenaries at different locations.
However, in yesterday’s press conference, Ogazi said that he was concerned that his ambition to be the Speaker of the 7th Assembly had aroused opposition with attendant negative consequences on governance in the state.
He added that the unfortunate development was a serious cause for concern for any well-meaning Nasarawa citizen and thus called for a patriotic reconsideration of his stance and a willingness to come to a compromise.
He explained that he had accepted to step down not because it was the right thing to do, but because it was a decision that best served the collective interests of the state, adding that the crisis had plunged the stats into a needless constitutional crisis.
Ogazi, who insisted that he won by a majority, pleaded with his teeming supporters to accept the new development in the interest of peace and development of the state.
The Kokona East representative, who insisted that he won the speakership by a simple majority, appealed to the good conscience of patriotic citizens of the state to see reasons with him why Nasarawa must progress.
“It is a known fact that I contested the speakership position in the State Assembly with the support of members and won by a simple majority vote.
“However, I wish to appeal to the good conscience of all patriotic citizens of the state, especially our most esteemed supporters, to see reasons with us why Nasarawa State must make progress, regardless of my ambition or any personal interest.
“Having entertained several calls and appeals from various quarters, comprising critical stakeholders, both past and serving governors, senators, former ministers, emirs, and chiefs, political party leaders, within and outside the State, and most importantly, the loud call by our amiable President through His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State, on the need to put the state first, bury our hatchets, and unite for the progress and development of Nasarawa State.
“It is on this note, with all humility and a deep sense of responsibility, that I hereby set aside my speakership ambition with an assurance to henceforth unite and work for the collective good and in the overall interest of the State.
“It should, however, be noted that the speakership position will be decided by members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and not any individual.
“It is in this regard that members have mutually agreed that the house will be re-inaugurated and fresh elections conducted. This is the agreement that has culminated in today’s verdict by the State High Court Lafia,” he said.
He apologized to his supporters for whatever pain and disappointment he might have caused them during the crisis and its outcome. He said the crisis had strengthened democracy in the state.
“I wish to apologize to our most cherished supporters that whatever pain and disappointment this crisis and its outcome must have caused is deeply regretted. The decision to back down is not about us as individuals but to see the system work again.
”There is no better description to quantify the level of indebtedness to my Distinguished Members and our patriotic citizens, first for believing in me and secondly, for keeping faith with our noble struggle.
“I dare say that as a result of this struggle, democracy has been strengthened and has come to stay in Nasarawa State. We shall continue to remain advocates of democracy and good governance,” Ogazi stated.
Ogazi sincerely appreciated the people of the state for the massive support and solidarity shown throughout his speakership quest and further recommitted to serve to the best of his abilities and in the interest of his constituency and the state at large.
Meanwhile, following Ogazi’s withdrawal as the factional speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, a fresh election was conducted, with members of the 7th Assembly electing Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi (APC- Umaisha/Ugya) as the Speaker of the Assembly.
Hon. Abel Yakubu Bala (PDP- Nassarawa Eggon West) was also elected as the Deputy Speaker of the 7th Assembly.
Hon Ibrahim Musa, the Acting Clerk of the House, announced this during the inauguration of the members of the 7th Assembly on Friday in Lafia.
The Clerk of the House stated that the inauguration was in line with Gov. Abdullahi Sule’s proclamation, as well as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Hon Mohammed Adamu Oyanki (PDP- Doma North) nominated Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi for the position of Speaker, which was seconded by Hon Larry Ven Bawa (APC- Akwanga North). Hon Ibrahim Peter Akwe (PDP- Obi 1) nominated Hon Abel Yakubu Bala for the position of Deputy Speaker, which was seconded by Hon Suleiman Yakubu Azara (APC- Awe South).
The Clerk thereafter inaugurated the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, while the Speaker of the House inaugurated other members.
In his acceptance speech, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the 7th Assembly, pledged to provide all-inclusive leadership in the interest of peace and development.
“I want to congratulate Hon. members on your inauguration and for electing me to serve as Speaker of the seventh assembly.
“I have presided over the affairs of this Assembly in the last eight years with all a sense of fairness and fear of God. I want to assure you that I will continue in that spirit.
“I will also continue to operate an open-door policy as I have done in the last eight years,” he said.
Balarabe assured the staff of the assembly of his continued readiness to improve their welfare. The Speaker assured Gov. Abdullahi Sule of the House continued partnership and collaboration for the overall development of the state.
“We must join hands with other arms of government to achieve speedy development across the state,” he said.
The Speaker further appreciated Gov. Sule for renovating the House for effective service delivery.
With the stepping down of Ogazi and re-inauguration of the 7th assembly, the over six weeks Nasarawa assembly leadership crisis has been put to rest.
