The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has slammed a three-month suspension on the Chairman of Lafia Local Government Council, Mohammad Haliru-Arabo, over his alleged meddling in the ongoing leadership crisis within the council’s legislative arm.
Naijaonpoint reports that the decision, which sent political ripples across the state capital, was reached during plenary on Tuesday in Lafia, the state capital.
Speaker of the House, Danladi Jatau, announced the suspension following a motion of public importance raised by the Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Musa Ibrahim-Abubakar.
Jatau noted that the suspension was necessary to allow for “a neutral and thorough investigation” into the controversial impeachment of the Speaker of the Lafia Legislative Council, which has sparked political unrest in recent days.
“This issue threatens the peace and stability of Lafia Local Government, the seat of power in the state,” Jatau warned.
“Accordingly, the Chairman is hereby suspended for three months pending the outcome of the House Committee’s investigation.”
Following the resolution, the Speaker directed the Deputy Chairman of Lafia LGA, Uba Arikiya, to immediately step in and assume leadership of the council until investigations are concluded.
He also instructed the Clerk of the House to formally communicate the Assembly’s decision to Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Several lawmakers, including Dr Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Suleiman Yakubu Azara, and Larry Ven-Bawa, echoed support for the suspension.
They accused Haliru-Arabo of overstepping his bounds by allegedly announcing the impeachment of the council’s Speaker—a role strictly reserved for legislators.
“The Chairman has no authority to announce the suspension of a legislative Speaker,” said Ibrahim-Abubakar.
“Such interference is dangerous and capable of igniting conflict within the council.”
The Assembly further resolved that the current leadership of the Lafia Legislative Council will remain unchanged, pending the outcome of the investigation.
In a separate legislative move, the House passed the first reading of a bill to repeal and re-enact the Nasarawa State Harmonisation and Administration of Revenue Law.
The bill, sponsored by Majority Leader Suleiman Yakubu Azara and seconded by Minority Leader Luka Iliya Zhekaba, aims to overhaul the state’s revenue framework. The second reading is scheduled for December 16, 2025.
The House subsequently adjourned after adopting both the resolution and the first reading of the bill.
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