The Niger State House of Assembly has suspended the screening of the commissioner nominees’ list forwarded to the House by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, stating that the representation of Christians is inadequate with only three out of thirty names.
During a meeting held over the weekend, lawmakers questioned the fairness of the list, as it consists of only 10 per cent Christians.
Recall that the Speaker of the Niger Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji had summoned the State legislators to an emergency meeting.
Reliable sources from the Nigerian Tribune have confirmed that the lawmakers suspended the screening of the Commissioner nominees’ list until adjustments are made to increase the representation of Christians to at least 25 per cent.
Hon. Yusuf Baba Dabban, representing Lavun Constituency, expressed his concerns while speaking at the Annual State Convention of the Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Niger State chapter in Kutigi, Lavun local government area of the state. He emphasized that Christians and Muslims in the State are one, and the lawmakers are requesting that the list be adjusted.
The current list includes only Elizabeth Shaba from Paikoro, Ibrahim Mami Ijah from Tafa, and Mourice Magaji from Munya LGAs as the Christian nominees.
Hon. Dabban stated, “When we received the list, we looked at it and discovered that there is no iota of guidance. We, the lawmakers, especially the Principal Officers, are making a recommendation that Christians form thirty per cent (30 per cent) or at least twenty-five per cent (25 per cent) of the executive council.”
He further added, “I personally invited the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Afiniki Eunice Dauda, to attend this convention, but because of the unfairness in the list, she and others are currently meeting to ensure that the Governor acts fast.”
“We can assure you that, by the special grace of God, something must change on that list. We are not fighting each other, but we must tell ourselves the truth.”
Hon. Dabban assured that the lawmakers would meet with Governor Bago to address the issue. “We will advise him, and I know, by the special grace of God, he has a listening ear and will listen to us,” he added.
“Maybe it was an oversight on the side of the Governor, but we have drawn His Excellency’s attention to it so that we can have peaceful coexistence in the State.”
Earlier, the State Chairperson of WOWICAN, Deaconess Deborah Amina Gana, called on the State Governor, Umar Bago, to treat all Nigerlites as one, irrespective of religious, tribal, and political affiliations.
“Dear Governor, in your appointments, be fair and just as you promised and assured us before and after you emerged as Governor,” Deaconess Gana said.
“Let your cabinet be balanced; give Christians a sense of belonging. Out of 30 nominees, we have only two or three Christians. That does not portray fairness; give women a sense of belonging by appointing more women into various positions, especially into your cabinet.”
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