The Nasarawa House of Assembly has suspended the screening of Mr Yakubu Kwanta, a commissioner nominee and former Commissioner for Environment, for failure to appear before a committee to defend the ministry’s 2024 budget performance.
Danladi Jatau, Speaker of the Assembly, announced the suspension of Kwanta’s screening following a motion by Muhammed Omafefu (APC-Keana), the Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, during the commissioner nominees’ screening exercise on Monday in Lafia.
Omafefu said that the Assembly would not allow any government official to undermine its powers, as the legislative arm is saddled with the responsibility of making laws.
“Mr Kwanta should send a strong apology letter to the House over his action when he was a commissioner; otherwise, we will consider him unfit for the screening,” he said.
Other members who supported the motion and called for an apology from the former commissioner included Mr Mohammed Isimbabi, Mr. Ajegana Kudu, and Mr. Hudu Hudu.
They said that the written apology from the nominee would serve as a deterrent to others and save the integrity of the House.
Meanwhile, the House has screened and approved seven of the 16 commissioner nominees submitted by Governor Abdullahi Sule on February 10.
The Speaker further congratulated the nominees and urged them to discharge their duties with the fear of God when they assume office.
The nominees screened include Umar Tanko-Tunga from Awe Local Government Area (LGA), John Mamman from Kokona LGA and Hajiya Munirat Abdullahi from Doma LGA.
Others are Mr. Gabriel Agbashi from Doma LGA, Mr Isaac Danladi from Karu LGA, Princess Margret Elayo from Keana LGA and Ibrahim Tanko from Keffi LGA.
