Nasarawa Assembly suspends Lafia LG Council chairman amid speaker impeachment crisis

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The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has suspended Mohammad Haliru-Arabo, Chairman of Lafia Local Government, for three months due to his involvement in the impeachment of the Local Government’s Speaker.

Speaker Danladi Jatau announced the suspension after Musa Ibrahim-Abubakar, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, moved a motion under matters of public importance during proceedings in Lafia.

Jatau explained that the suspension is intended to allow a neutral investigation, restore peace in the Local Government, and maintain stability in the state.

During the suspension, Deputy Chairman Uba Arikiya will oversee the affairs of Lafia Local Government.

“The Chairman of Lafia Local Government is hereby suspended for three months pending investigation by the House Standing Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,” the Speaker said, adding that the status of the Local Government’s legislative arm remains unchanged until the inquiry concludes.

The Speaker cited constitutional powers enabling the Assembly to act, noting that the Chairman had interfered in legislative matters beyond his remit.

The House Clerk was directed to communicate the resolution to Governor Abdullahi Sule, the state’s chief security officer.

The motion received backing from several lawmakers, including Dr. Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Hon. Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Suleiman Yakubu Azara, and Larry Ven-Bawa, who argued that the suspension would prevent further crises and serve as a warning to other Local Government areas.

In a related matter, the House also gave first reading to a bill aimed at repealing and re-enacting the Nasarawa State Harmonisation and Administration of all Revenue law.

Speaker Jatau scheduled the second reading for December 16, 2025.

The motion for the bill’s first reading was moved by Majority Leader Suleiman Yakubu Azara and seconded by Minority Leader Luka Iliya Zhekaba, with unanimous approval from members.