Nasarawa Assembly calls for sack of NASIEC chairman, commissioners

The legislators say NASIEC did not adhere to the electoral laws.

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly on Tuesday called for the sack of the Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission, NASIEC, Abdullahi Modibo. The lawmakers also called for the sack of all the commissioners of the commission.

The lawmakers alleged that Mr. Modibo and his commissioners conducted less than credible local government elections on March 22.

The Assembly took the decision after deliberating on a motion moved by Godiya Akwashiki (PDP-Nassarawa Eggon West) under the matter of public interest at the floor of the house in Lafia.

The Assembly is dominated by members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, while the state is led by Governor Tanko Al-Makura of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Mr. Akwashik, who is also the majority leader of the house, said that the NASIEC chairman and his commissioners refused to adhere strictly to the local government electoral act which stipulates that results be announced at the ward and local government headquarters.

“It is unfortunate and uncalled for that the local government election was marred by a lot of irregularities which necessitated the assembly to summoned the NASIEC chairman and his commissioners.

“At the floor of the house, the NASIEC chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Modibo has admitted before the house and the whole world that he erred on the election results.

“The house then directed him to clear the air by announcing the authentic result of Akwanga, Obi and Nasarawa local government which was declared inconclusive by the commission within 24 hours.

“It is pathetic that up till date, the NASIEC chairman cannot even announce the result of the three local government agreed by him, ” Mr. Akwashiki said.

He called on his colleagues to support the motion to call for the sack of the NASIEC chairman and his commissioners for not adhering strictly to the local government laws.

Mr. Akwashiki said that the motion to call for the sack of the state electoral officials was in the best interest of the state.

Mohammed Okpede (PDP-Doma North) seconded the motion and urged his colleagues to support the motion for the removal of the state electoral body within 24 hours.

“It is unfortunate that Dr. Abdullahi Modibo and his commissioners cannot conduct free, fair and acceptable local government election in the state. Why must he declare the result of Akwanga, Obi and Nasarawa local government inconclusive?

Muluku Ibrahim (PDP-Nassarawa Eggon East), Francis Orogu (PDP-Keana) Mohammed Ibaku (PDP-Udege) Nathaniel Agyomesa (APC-Lafia North, Danladi Jatau (PDP-Kokona West) described the commission’s action as a\ violation of electoral laws.

Ahmed Musa (PDP-Nasarawa Central and Speaker of the House), after putting the motion to vote, said that 17 out of 19 members supported the motion calling for the immediate removal of the NASIEC chairman and his commissioners.

“The clerk of the house is hereby directed to communicate the resolution of the house to the executive governor for the removal of Dr. Abdullahi Modibo and his commissioners,” the speaker said.

This decision was taken despite an injunction restraining the House from interfering with NASIEC.

After penultimate last Saturday’s local government election in the state – where the APC won in six local councils and the PDP in four- the House summoned the chairman and commissioners of NASIEC to appear before it.

To prevent this sort of decision taken by the House, the Commissioner of Justice and the Attorney General of the Federation, Innocent Lagi, jumped over a gate to serve the house a court order restraining it from interfering with the activities of the commission.

The House had also called for Mr. Lagi’s sack, saying the act of jumping over a gate was inappropriate.