A possible rift seems to be looming between the legislative and executive arms of the Gombe State government.
This is because 38 days after Gombe Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, submitted his commissioner nominees to the State Assembly, they are yet to commence screening.
Yahaya, had on July 28, submitted his commissioner nominees list within the 60-day constitutional deadline, after he was sworn in for a second term.
It was gathered that the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibrahim Abubakar Njodi, submitted the list of nominees to the Clerk of the State House of Assembly, Barrister Rukaiyatu A. Jalo.
Following this, the Speaker of the House, Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, unveiled the list at the plenary and announced that the house was proceeding on a recess to resume on August 21.
However, two weeks have passed after the Assembly’s resumption, the screening exercise for the nominees are yet to begin.
Speaking to Daily Trust in anonymity, a staff of the Gombe Assembly revealed that the delay in screening the nominees was connected to a brewing crisis between the legislative and the executive arm over “unpaid allowances.”
The Assembly staff said efforts have, however, been made to resolve the crisis, revealing that the lawmakers met last week with the intention of resolving the crisis and going ahead with the screening.
Meanwhile, the Director of Information and Reportorial of the Assembly, Abubakar Mohammed Umar, said the lawmakers will resume their ongoing recess on Tuesday, September 5.
He also confirmed that the assembly would commence the screening of commissioner-nominees sent by the governor, once the house resumes.
The governor had submitted a 17 commissioner nominees list, including six former names who have worked with him in his first tenure and eleven new names.
The six former commissioners are Dr Habu Dahiru (Yamaltu/Deba), Barrister Zubairu Mohammed Umar (Funakaye), Dr Aishatu Umar Maigari, Muhammad Gambo Magaji (Dukku), Alhaji Nasiru Mohammed Aliyu (Yamaltu/Deba) and Sanusi Ahmed Maidala (Akko), are among the 17 nominees.
The eleven new nominees are; Abdulkadir Mohammed Waziri (Akko LGA); Adamu Inuwa Pantami (Gombe); Mijinyawa Ardo Tilde (Funakaye); Mohammed Shettima Gadam (Kwami); Asma’u Iganus (Shongom); Mohammed Saidu Fawu (Billiri); and Salihu Baba Alkali (Nafada).
Others are; Dr Barnabas Malle (Kaltungo), Dr Usman Maijama’a Kallamu (Kwami), Rtd. Lt. Col. Abdullahi Bello (Balanga), and Dr Abdullahi Bappah Garkuwa (Gombe).