The Zamfara State House of Assembly has officially declared the seat of one of its members, Aliyu Kagara, vacant.
This announcement was made in a statement by the assembly’s Chief Press Secretary, Bello Kurya, and shared with journalists on Tuesday in Gusau, the state capital.
According to the statement, Kagara’s seat was declared vacant as he had been absent from the House for an extended period, attending only 21 out of 180 sitting days.
The decision was made in accordance with Sections 101 and 109(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.
The statement read in part, “The Zamfara State House of Assembly has declared the seat of Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara, representative for Talata Mafara South Constituency, vacant.
“This decision followed a motion presented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Bello Muhammad Mazawajje Tsafe, and seconded by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Adamu Aliyu Gummi, during a plenary session.
“In presenting the motion, Hon. Bello Mazawajje highlighted that Hon. Aliyu Ango Kagara had been absent from the House excessively, attending only 21 of the 180 sitting days. He emphasised that this constitutes a violation of both the Nigerian Constitution and the standing rules of the House, which require consistent participation in legislative activities.
“Several members of the Assembly, including Hon. Kabiru Mikailu Dangulbi (Maru South), Hon. Rilwanu Marafa Nagambo Anka (Anka), Hon. Ibrahim Garba Liman Fegin Mahe (Gusau II), and Hon. Adamu Aliyu Gummi (Gummi II), voiced their unanimous support for the motion, underscoring the significance of adhering to the House rules and constitutional provisions.”
However, Halliru Kuturu (Zurmi East) urged the House to consider alternative disciplinary measures instead of declaring the seat vacant.
Following extensive deliberations, the Speaker of the House, Bilyaminu Moriki, announced the decision to declare the seat vacant.
The Speaker reiterated that the decision was in line with Sections 101 and 109(2) of the Nigerian Constitution, citing Kagara’s ongoing absenteeism as the basis for the action.
According to the statement, prior to this decision, several committees were formed to engage with Kagara in an attempt to resolve the issue, but all efforts to reach an amicable solution proved unsuccessful.
Kagara, a member of the All Progressives Congress, previously served as the Minority Leader of the Assembly before his seat was declared vacant.
