The Chief Whip of Kogi House of Assembly, Alhaji Suleiman Babadoko and his Deputy, Hajia Habibat Mohammed-Deen, have been removed from office, following a “vote of no confidence” passed on them.
The Speaker of the House, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello, made the announcement on the floor of the house at Tuesday’s plenary session.
Bello said that the lawmakers’ action followed the adoption of the “no confidence paper’’ signed by 17 of the 25 members.
In the statement read by the speaker, the members said: “The activities and conduct of the Chief Whip, Hon. Suleiman Babadoko of Lokoja 1 constituency and the Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Habibat Mohammed-Deen of Ankpa 1 constituency in recent times calls for attention.
“The two officers have been working at cross-purposes and this has been affecting the overall goals and objectives of this Honourable House as well as our collective resolve.”
Mr Michael Folunsho of Mopa/Muro constituency, moved for the adoption of the paper, saying that the two officers were no longer qualified to hold the positions.
His motion was seconded by Malam Haruna Idoko of Idah constituency.
?The members at plenary session unanimously adopted the motion and the Majority Leader, Alhaji Yakubu Yunisa, announced their replacements.
Yunusa said that the House had ceded the positions to Chief Saidu Akawu of Kogi/KK constituency and Mr Damian Adejoh of Olamaboro as Chief Whip and Deputy Chief Whip, respectively.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the plenary session, Akawu, who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Information, said that the removal of the former principal officers had nothing to do with the executive arm of government.
He said that the House discovered that the officers were engaged in “very serious leadership issues,” adding that such situation did not speak well of the confidence reposed in them.
The resolution, he said, was not in any way influenced by the executive as it was aimed at repositioning the House for good governance and interdependency among organs of government.
He said the House would cooperate “fully” with the governor but would uphold the principle of separation of powers.
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