The Zamfara State House of Assembly has declared the seat of the minority leader, Aliyu Ango-Kagara, vacant due to prolonged absenteeism.
The decision was reached during the plenary session on Tuesday in Gusau.
Ango-Kagara, who represents Talata-Marafa South under the All Progressives Congress, has reportedly been absent from the assembly for a total of 159 days. This absence led the majority leader, Bello Mazawaje, to propose a motion calling for the declaration of the lawmaker’s seat as vacant.
Mazawaje stated that Ango-Kagara attended only 21 out of 180 sittings since the assembly’s inauguration, a violation of both the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended) and the house’s standing rules.
Deputy Speaker Adamu Aliyu supported the motion, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the house rules and constitutional guidelines.
Mr Mazawaje said, “Kagara only attended 21 of the 180 sittings of the house since our inauguration, which violated the 1999 Nigerian constitution as amended and standing rules of the house.”
The deputy speaker, Adamu Aliyu, also weighed in.
Mr Aliyu said, “It is of paramount importance to uphold the House rules and constitutional provisions.”
However, not all members of the assembly were in agreement with the motion. Halliru Kuturu suggested exploring alternative disciplinary measures instead of declaring the seat vacant.
Ultimately, Speaker Bilyaminu Moriki ruled that the assembly had no option but to apply sections 101 and 109(2) of the Nigerian Constitution. As a result, Ango-Kagara’s seat was officially declared vacant due to his repeated absenteeism.
In response to the decision, Ango-Kagara criticized the action, calling it unconstitutional. He argued that the assembly’s move was rooted in his opposition to the illegal suspension of eight members last year.
According to Ango-Kagara, the eight lawmakers were suspended for raising security concerns affecting their constituencies. He had previously urged the assembly’s leadership to halt these suspensions, deeming them a violation of both the house’s standing rules and the constitution.
