The first steps in moves to impeach the Zamfara Deputy Governor, Barrister Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, for not tagging along with his boss, Bala Matawalle, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), may have been kickstarted with an invitation to him by the State House of Assembly to come and explain why he had a political rally despite bandits’attack on Maradun communities.
All the assemblymen, without exception, were in the same party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), like Governor Bala Matawalle, the three senators and all but one of the House of Representatives (HoR) members from the troubled state, until they all flipped and moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last week. Only Gusau and a member of the House of Representatives opted to remain in the PDP.
A source from the state told Everyday.ng that the summons to Gusau is the beginning of the process of his removal. “It promises to be a grand battle that may further trouble Zamfara in the days to come,” he added.
A lawmaker, Mr. Faruk Musa Dosara suggested that an invitation be sent to the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hussaini Rabi’u, to also appear before the House to explain whether the deputy governor obtained permission or not for the rally; and to also explain to the House the role police authorities played in stopping the rally.
The resolution by the lawmakers invited Gusau and Rabi’u to appear before it on Tuesday, 27th July, 2021.
In its plenary on Wednesday, the lawmakers passed the resolution following a motion raised by Hon Yusuf Alhassan Kanoma (APC, Maru North) under matters of urgent public importance.
Kanoma condemned the actions and utterances of Gusau at last Saturday’s political rally just less than 24 hours of massive reprisal attacks by bandits on Faru communities in Maradun local government area of the state.
AlKanoma, observed that while the state was in mourning mood over the killing of more than 56 innocent persons, the state deputy governor did not show any feelings, preferring rather to busy himself organising a political rally, despite hesitation from the Commissioner of Police, who advised against it.
“He described the action of the deputy governor as undemocratic,uncivillised, too primitive and local for a person of his personality not mindful of the huge regards and respect attached to the exalted office of the deputy governor of a state,” a summary of the day’s proceeding released to the media, said. .
Kanoma latched on to what he described as the misguided utterances of the deputy governor in the interview he granted to the press during the said rally, where abusive words were said to have been made by the number two citizen.
He commended the state police command for doing its job of ensuring law and order by trying to stop the second-in-command.
Kanoma urged his colleagues to save democracy and good Image of the state by summoning Gusau to explain the circumstances surrounding rally.
Many others like Ibrahim Muhammad Tela Bukkuyum, Ibrahim Tudu Tukur Bakura and Abdulnasir Ibrahim Gayari spoke in similar vein.
After heated debate and deliberations on the matter the Speaker of the House, Hon. Nasiru Mu’azu Magarya called for a voice vote from members. A resulotion to invite Barr Mahdi Aliyu Muhammad Gusau and state commissioner of police to appear before the House on Teusday 27th july 2021 by 10 :00 am prompt, was passed..