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Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi’s Stewardship: A Legacy of Consolidation and Good Governance

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From Leo Zuanke, Nassarawa

In the annals of Nigerian history, one name stands out: Rt. Hon. Speaker Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi. As the distinguished leader of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Speaker Balarabe has exhibited exceptional qualities of leadership, fostering a harmonious relationship between the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

Throughout his tenure, he has left an indelible mark on the state, ensuring peace, unity, and accelerated development. As the 6th Assembly prepares to pass the baton to the incoming 7th Assembly, here are 15 remarkable achievements of Speaker Balarabe that should be acknowledged and considered by the new lawmakers.

Unparalleled Stability and Unity:
Under Speaker Balarabe’s astute leadership, the Nasarawa State House of Assembly has enjoyed eight years of stability, devoid of rancor or party differences. Peace and unity have consistently prevailed, setting the stage for effective governance.

Enhanced Executive-Legislature Relationship:
Speaker Balarabe successfully eliminated the suspicious doubts that existed between the executive and legislature, which originated from the impeachment motion against Governor Almakura during the 4th Assembly. His efforts have ushered in an era of effective collaboration, allowing the state government to flourish.

Strengthened Oversight Functions:
Taking inspiration from the National Assembly, Speaker Balarabe introduced and encouraged robust oversight functions, which have enhanced the effectiveness of government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) in Nasarawa State.

Record-breaking Legislative Output:
Speaker Balarabe’s tenure has witnessed an unprecedented number of bills passed into law. With 54 bills passed during the 6th Assembly and an additional 21 bills in various stages of passage, the total stands at an impressive 75. This accomplishment underscores his commitment to the fundamental role of lawmaking.

Second Best Performance:
Nasarawa State House of Assembly, under Speaker Balarabe’s guidance, is currently rated as the second-best performing state assembly among the 36 states in Nigeria. This recognition further exemplifies his dedication to effective legislative governance.

International Recognition:
Speaker Balarabe’s exceptional performance led to his appointment as the first Speaker in Nasarawa State to represent the African region in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). This prestigious position brings pride and distinction to the state, underscoring his remarkable achievements.

Improved Employment Conditions:
In a demonstration of his commitment to the welfare of the assembly’s staff, Speaker Balarabe absorbed over 140 casual workers who had diligently served for 10 to 20 years, granting them permanent and pensionable positions.

Historic Documentation:
Under Speaker Balarabe’s administration, the Nasarawa State House of Assembly published its first-ever compendium, chronicling the journey and story of the assembly. This document serves as a valuable resource for posterity.

Presidential Award for Excellence:
Acknowledging his outstanding performance, Speaker Balarabe became the first Speaker in Nasarawa State to receive the prestigious Presidential Award as the Best Speaker in North Central Nigeria. The honor was presented by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.

Commendation from Nigeria Labour Congress:
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) recognized Speaker Balarabe’s significant contributions to government and labor relations, presenting him with a letter of commendation and recognition—an honor bestowed for his exceptional achievements.

Diligent National Vice Chairman:
Speaker Balarabe dutifully served as the National Vice Chairman, North Central, Nigeria, Conference of Speakers of State Assemblies, further showcasing his commitment to strengthening inter-state cooperation.

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SERAP sues Akpabio over ‘failure to reverse unlawful suspension of Natasha Akpoti’

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The group argues that the suspension is unlawful and violates her fundamental right to freedom of expression.

SERAP is seeking a court order compelling Akpabio to reverse the six-month suspension, reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, and restore all her legislative privileges. The organization also wants an injunction preventing the Senate from imposing further disciplinary actions against her for expressing her views.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended after she reportedly spoke without permission and rejected a new seat assignment in the Senate chamber. As part of her suspension, her salary and allowances have been withheld, and she has been barred from identifying as a senator.

In its suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP contends that the suspension deprives Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents of political representation. The organization also argues that penalizing a senator for exercising free speech creates a chilling effect on other lawmakers.

“No one should ever be punished for speaking without permission,” SERAP stated. “The Senate should uphold the rule of law and protect human rights, not suppress them.”

The group cites constitutional provisions and international human rights treaties, including Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

SERAP maintains that the Senate Standing Orders cannot override constitutional guarantees of free speech. The lawsuit emphasizes that restricting a senator’s expression undermines democracy and violates Nigerians’ right to receive information and participate politically.

No date has been set for the hearing of the case.

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Market associations, women groups knock el-Rufai, rally support for Tinubu, Gov Sani

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Ahead of the 2027 elections, hundreds of members of market associations and numerous women groups in Kaduna state at the weekend, occupied Kaduna metropolis in a peaceful demonstration where they reiterated their loyalty and support to the administration of
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The protesters who alleged that they had bitter experiences during the El-Rufa’i administration, said they would remain where Governor Uba Sani stood and advised the citizens of Kaduna not to be deceived by doing the contrary.
They recounted their ordeals during the 8 years of the previous administration, alleging that hundreds of market shops belonging to individuals were either seized, demolished or confiscated, a situation that triggered ill health in many traders and business owners leading to paralysis and multiple deaths of their colleagues.

“We’ve been in the market for over 40 years and have never experienced the kind of set backs we suffered under the previous Governor.”

“A lot of lives were lost,a lot of finances were ruined by reason of his kind of policies. We are here to speak with one voice and say that anything that would kind of revive such kind of philosophy in Kaduna market, we don’t want it,” Daniel Audu Maigari, a stakeholder of the Kaduna Market associations, has said.

He explained that “this incumbent Governor began by healing the wounds, the wounds that were really severed by the former Governor. Governor Uba Sani has been doing so,so very well and that’s why we’ve been with our leader, Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, who like Governor Sani,has been charting the right course, ensuring programmes and plans that will heal these wounds .”

He said there was never been a time they are having the impact of leadership in Kaduna market, like they are having now.

” Now we’ve lots of incentives, lots of policies that are driving us to progress .We are now standing with one voice to denounce anything that would reverse this,” he said.

Alhaji Daiyabu Ismail Mai Gwanjo, Chairman Stakeholders of the Kaduna State Market Traders associations, said on behalf of their leader,Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, his EXCO and all trader leaders in the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, they have gathered to unilaterally declare an unalloyed support to Governor Uba Sani who had taken care of them and protected their interests.
According to him,” we have to say so,haven had the harrowing experience in the hands of the past administration. The scar still remains and many are yet to recover.”
“But when Almighty Allah sent Governor Uba Sani to us,he declared he would not do anything bad to traders because the world thrives on businesses.All the most cherished countries like China, Canada, UAE, India,are very proud of and supportive to their traders and other business persons.”

“Unfortunately, we found ourselves during the previous administration that neither showed empathy nor sympathy to traders. An approximate number of 36 markets were demolished at that time.None of these markets was completely rebuild ,till date,and we are suspicious of the collaboration between the previous administration and the market developers.”

“We are therefore calling on Governor Uba Sani, our Governor of sympathy and understanding, to look at this issue with a view to resolving it.We are with Uba Sani a hundred percent, ” he added.

Hajiya Hadiza Abdulaziz,a woman leader of the market association,said they have gathered in multitudes to reiterate their support to the APC and Governor Uba Sani who has tremendously supported the market men and women in Kaduna State.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.

She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.

“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.

The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.

She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.

“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.

The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.

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Obasanjo bemoans selection process of traditional rulers in Nigeria

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has raised concerns over the selection process of traditional rulers in Nigeria, stating that criminal elements have infiltrated royal institutions. He lamented that individuals with questionable backgrounds, including drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers, now hold positions of authority as traditional rulers.

Obasanjo made these remarks in his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, unveiled last week. He criticized the rapid increase in traditional rulers, many of whom, he claimed, lack the training and moral integrity required for the role. According to him, this deterioration has weakened the institution’s ability to contribute positively to the nation’s socio-political stability.

“Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers as so-called traditional rulers,” Obasanjo stated, stressing that some have abandoned their cultural responsibilities and engaged in misconduct. He cited an example of a monarch allegedly involved in electoral malpractice, questioning the moral integrity of such leaders.

“How do we account for a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and running away with it?” he queried.

Reflecting on the past, Obasanjo noted that traditional rulers once commanded immense respect, especially during colonial and early post-independence eras. However, he said, their influence has been diluted due to the lack of proper training and moral reformation.

“The class of traditional rulers with their distinction, honour, and dignity, as we knew them in the colonial days and early post-independence days, has been diluted and polluted,” he remarked.

Calling for urgent reforms, the former president stressed the need to restore the lost dignity of traditional leadership. He emphasized that rather than being a liability, traditional rulers should play a vital role in national development.

“That dignity, aura, and respect should be brought back, and traditional rulers should be an asset to Nigeria’s development and greatness, not a liability,” he asserted.

Obasanjo further called for moral rejuvenation among traditional rulers, particularly those from historically significant institutions. He maintained that if properly positioned, they could contribute significantly to Nigeria’s long-term progress.

“There is a need for moral re-armament among the traditional rulers—the ancient and historic ones. They can and should make meaningful contributions to the Nigeria of our dreams that will serve the purpose and interest of all,” he concluded.

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