The Zamfara State House of Assembly has declared the minority leader’s seat held by a lawmaker, Aliyu Ango-Kagara, vacant due to alleged absenteeism.
The lawmakers made the decision at Tuesday’s plenary in Gusau.
Ango-Kagara, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Marafa South State Constituency, has been allegedly absent from the House for 159 days.
This development prompted the Majority Leader, Bello Mazawaje, to ask members to declare the lawmaker’s seat vacant in a motion presented at the Assembly complex.
Mazawaje said: “Kagara only attended 21 of the 180 sittings of the House since our inauguration, which violated the 1999 Constitution as amended and standing rules of the House.”
The Deputy Speaker, Adamu Aliyu, also weighed in, saying “It is of paramount importance to uphold the House rules and constitutional provisions.”
However, not all members supported the move with Halliru Kuturu asking the House to explore alternative disciplinary measures against the lawmaker.
However, the Speaker of the House, Alhaji Bilyaminu Moriki, decided that the parliament had no choice but to implement sections 101 and 109(2) of the 1999 Constitution.
He, thereafter, declared Ango-Kagara’s seat vacant due to his “persistent absenteeism.”
In response, Ango-Kagara described the House’s action as unconstitutional.
He said: “I think, the House was established by law and order, not a jungle justice.”