The Niger State House of Assembly has impeached its Speaker, Alhaji Adamu Usman, and elected Alhaji Isa Kawu to replace him.
The impeachment process, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), followed the barring of members of the Assembly from accessing the complex yesterday by a combined team of security personnel from the police, SSS and the Civil Defence Corps.
Checks revealed that 18 of 27 members voted for Usman’s impeachment motion moved by Mr. Jacob Maaji (Lavun) and seconded by Mr. Ibrahim Dama (Katcha).
Other newly elected officials included Alhaji Bello Agwara, Deputy Speaker; Hajiya Sa’adatu Kolo (Mashegu), Chief Whip, and Alhaji Yusuf Kure as Majority Leader.
After his swearing in by the clerk of the House, Kawu pledged to ensure an harmonious working relationship in the legislature, saying:
“We will ensure that our legislative duty continued as usual and our oversight functions will be strengthened for better results to the people.’’
Reacting to his removal outside the Assembly complex, Usman told newsmen that the impeachment was null and void, insisting that he remained the speaker. He said the chief judge of the state had given an order restraining the House, the clerk and security agencies from recognising the new officials.
Usman added that no allegation was levelled against him that could warrant his removal.
