Nasarawa assembly screens 7 commissioner nominees

Nasarawa Assembly screened seven commissioner nominees out of the 16 submitted by governor Abdullahi Sule for screening and confirmation.

The house also suspended the screening of Hon. Yakubu Kwanta, the immediate past commissioner for environment over his failure to appear before the House committee on environment to defend the ministry’s 2024 budget performance when he served as commissioner of the ministry.

The lawmakers also cited his failure to appear before the House on invitation, describing it as a total act of insubordination to an institution that screened and confirmed him as a commissioner for two consecutive times. 

Speaker of the house of Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau stepped down the screening when member representing Keana constituency and chairman House committee on environment Hon. Muhammed Adamu Omadefu raised the issue during the screening of commissioner nominees at the Assembly complex in Lafia on Monday.

The speaker said the House would only consider him for the screening, if he sends strong apology letter over his act of indiscipline and insubordination to the assembly when he was a commissioner. 

He said the assembly would not allow any government official undermine the powers of the House.

“Hon Yakubu Kwanta should send strong apology latter to the House over his action when he served as commissioner before we will think of considering him or not for the screening,” he said. 

Earlier, Hon. Mohammed Adamu Omadefu, the chairmen, House committee on Housing and environment cited various constitutional provisions that banned a nominee to appear in the hallowed chamber for screening.

On their parts, Hon. Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Hon Ajegana Jacob Kudu and Hon. Hudu A Hudu also supported the submission of Hon Omadefu and called for apology from Hon. Kwanta in order to safe the integrity of the House.