By Juliana Katung
Kaduna (Nigeria)–Protesters on Tuesday stormed the Kaduna State House of Assembly, northwest of the country, demanding the House leadership to reinstate two PDP members who were recently suspended.
The demand is contained in a document issued by the Joint Stakeholders of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Zangon Kataf and Kaura Constituencies, who staged a peaceful protest to the Assembly where they were received by the Clerk of the Assembly, Bello Zubair on behalf of the Speaker, Aminu Abdullahi .
The protesters said they were out to express their anger and pains over the suspension of Danladi Angulu Kwasu and Bityong Yakubu Nkom, From Zangon and Kaura Kataf respectively.
“this is a call to fairness, Justice and respect for the rule of of law. It is also not only a statement of the PDP stake holders but the entire electorate in these constituencies who stand victim of this development.” they noted.
According to the document presented to the assembly, the actual reason for the motion and suspension is totally undisclosed to both the suspended members and the general public, because facts have shown that immediately the motion was moved for the suspension of the two above, the Speaker granted no investigations, no room for counter motion, no debate as well as no point of order was allowed. The speaker only swiftly asked “is that the wish of the Hon. House?” which he had asked three good times.
“It is worthy to note that it is only customary that for a decision as such to take effect there must be a voting where a total of at least one third (1/3) majority of the members presence is needed to take a decision. The method of voting used by the Rt. Hon. Speaker does not indicate that the standard was adhered to as it is on record that the Speaker used voice note. We may need to ask the legitimacy of that voting method and we may also need to establish how the Speaker got his one-third through the voice voting to allow the motion gain favour”.
The implication here is that Kaura Constituency which Hon.Dr.Bityong Yakubu Nkom is representing and Zangon Kataf Constituency which Hon. Danladi Angulu Kwasu is representing shall lack representation in state legislative matters till only God knows when since the suspension is said to be indefinite. This we find unsatisfactory and unacceptable. There was a quick reaction in favour of the motion, putting this and some other facts side by side, it is evident that there is more to the cause of the suspension than the motion moved. Hence we are left with no option than to see the suspension as an act of conspiracy against goodwill and the People’s Democratic Party PDP. It is also an abuse of powers and a disregard to the rule of law’ it’s added
The PDP stakeholders of the affected constituencies after a careful understanding of the entire matter hereby resolve that:
“the suspension of the two members of the kaduna state House of Assembly is unfair,unjust and unconstitutional and therefore condemn in strong terms.
“The act of suspension is not done in a goodwill to the PDP Zangon Kataf and Kaura constituency and of course Kaduna State as a whole.
“Speaker should call off the suspension with immediate effect and an apology tendered to the suspended members and their respective constituencies and should as a matter of urgency announce the change of leadership as communicated to him in the letter from the State PDP Chairman dated 21stNovember,2017” the document noted.
It however called on all well meaning people of Kaduna State and the general public to stand strong against the suspension and all other unjust actions that are inimical to fairness, justice, the rule of law and peaceful coexistence.
https://www.africaprimenews.com/2017/11/29/news/nigeria-kaduna-house-assembly-gives-reasons-suspension-two-pdp-members-orders-vacate-govt-qtrs/
Commenting on the suspension, a former minority leader of the Assembly, Florence Aya (kaura) who was among the protesters said they are appealing to the Speaker to go back and act according to the rule of the House as they all are aware of what these rules are and how they are applied.
” we are appealing to the Speaker to act according to the rules of the House as they did not follow the proper procedures as we know that should any problem develops, it is first referred to a committee and then the committee will conduct an investigation before the suspension takes place. We did not want this to happen but as it has happened we have come to appeal that our representatives should be returned as they represent us well in the Assembly” she stressed.
Also speaking the PDP Chairman Kaura Local Government, Donatus Shemang also said that the party has taken its decision as they want these members returned with immediate effect and their offence be made known to the public as it is not possible to have an Assembly without a constituency being represented by anyone.
Also the team leader from Zangon Kataf Joseph Bainta who spoke on behalf of members of his constituency said they should be told of the offence that warranted the suspension, as failure to do so, will cause more pain to the people of both constituencies.
” we are aware that the letter which was written at the assembly for the suspension of Hon.Bityong Yakubu Nkom and Hon. Danladi Angulu Kwasu was signed by Hon.Kantiok Irimiya Ishaku, he is not representing the party well at the state Assembly, this is why we want Barr. Kantiok removed as the minority Leader,” Leadership is not compulsory, if he cannot represent us well, then he should step aside and let us assign those who will do it better” the leader noted.
