Concerns over abuse of power, as Kogi Speaker allegedly resigns

Following the crisis that has rocked the Kogi State House of Assembly, the Speaker, Umar Imam, is said to have resigned and replaced by the erstwhile majority leader of the Assembly, Matthew Kolawole, triggering widespread concerns over undue interference from the Yahaya Bello- led Kogi State Executive.

Some political watchers believe that this development may signify that Governor Yahaya Bello seems to have had his way in the rumpus that has bedeviled Kogi Assembly, since Kolawole who is said to be a staunch supporter of Bello, replaces Imam said to have endured a strained relationship with the governor over conflicting interests.

Kolawole, a member representing Kabba Bunnu constituency, has now taken over as the Speaker of the Assembly and has promised that he is going to carry all aggrieved members along in his leadership and that he is going to deliver good legislation and people-driven governance.

The former Speaker, Ahmed Imam, had apparently, following mounting pressure from the incidents of Tuesday in the Assembly, stepped aside on Wednesday, allowing the disruption to the Assembly’s proceedings to cease, at least for now.

His resignation, which was officially announced on Thursday, came after members of the Assembly were allegedly attacked by thugs on Tuesday.
Before the thug attack, Governor Bello had earlier, allegedly stormed the Assembly complex on the same Tuesday in the company of the State Commissioner of Police (CP), Wilson Inalegwu.

It was alleged that he locked up the Assembly complex to stop the day’s plenary in order to scuttle the state lawmakers’ alleged plot to sack the majority leader of the House, Kolawole, the new speaker, and also prevent the planned probe into the state’s finances.

Read also: KOGI: Melaye calls for state of emergency as Bello distances self from Assembly mayhem

On Thursday however, amidst heavy presence of armed security men, the Assembly sat and the Deputy Speaker, Hassan Abdullahi Baiwa, member representing Okura constituency, who presided over the sitting, announced that Imam had resigned.

Following Kolawole’s emergence, Bello Hassan Balogun (APC), representing Ajaokuta, was also elected as the new majority leader. Victor Omofaye -(APC) representing Ijumu, was elected Chief Whip.

The insinuations are that the former Speaker may not have been in the camp of the governor, hence the need to have him removed.

Kogi State has remained in the news in recent times for unflattering reasons. The much-publicized continuing feud between Senator Dino Melaye and Governor Bello has dominated media coverage of the state.

The reported incidences of violent disruption of the legislative process from alleged undue interference bordering on abuse of power, will only further the troubling state of affairs emerging from the state.

RipplesNigeria ….without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now