The new Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly is Babayo Akuyam.
In the state’s Misau Local Government Area, he is the representative for the Hardawa Constituency.
The Dass LGA representative Ahmed Abdullahi was also chosen by the House to serve as Deputy Speaker.
This is just five days after the then-Speaker, Abubakar Suleiman, was removed from his position as the member representing the Ningi Central Constituency by the Appeal Court in Abuja.
The Ningi Central Constituency election was held on March 18, and Suleiman, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and the immediate past chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, was declared the winner. He defeated Khalid Abdulmalik-Ningi of the All Progressives Congress, who received 15, 065 votes, with 16, 866 votes.
When the Independent National Electoral Commission announced the election results, Abdulmalik-Ningi was not happy and went to the state’s Governorship and State Assembly Election Petition Tribunal to seek remedies. However, the tribunal rejected his petition and upheld Suleiman’s election to a second term in office.
Barely three days after the sack of Suleiman, the court also sacked his deputy, Jamilu Barade, a member of the PDP, from his position as the member representing Bauchi Central Constituency, and also ordered a rerun in some polling units.
APC candidate Aliyu Ilela, who was likewise dissatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, appealed to the higher court, which granted his petitions and declared the election invalid due to purported excessive voting. A repeat in a few voting places was also mandated by the court.
On Wednesday, however, the House chose Akuyam as Speaker and Abdullahi as Deputy Speaker without any opposition.
The member representing Shira Constituency, Auwal Hassan, nominated and Burra Tanko Ibrahim seconded him, leading to the election of the new Speaker.
The House Clerk, Umar Gital, administered the oath of office to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
A little while later, the Speaker was led to his seat.
In his speech of acceptance, Akuyam thanked God for allowing him to become Speaker, reassured the people of the state that he is always available for constructive advise, and applauded his colleagues for having faith in his ability to lead.
He said that in accordance with the philosophy of the current government, the House would take all appropriate measures to promote the general advancement of the State.
The state budget plan for 2024 will be presented to the Assembly on Thursday by State Governor Bala Mohammed.
In his speech of acceptance, Akuyam thanked God for allowing him to become Speaker, reassured the people of the state that he is always available for constructive advise, and applauded his colleagues for having faith in his ability to lead.
He said that in accordance with the philosophy of the current government, the House would take all appropriate measures to promote the general advancement of the State.
The state budget plan for 2024 will be presented to the Assembly on Thursday by State Governor Bala Mohammed.
