By Ummi Ismaeel, Minna
Niger State House of Assembly (NSHA) has declared as illegal the suspension of the Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area of the state, Alhaji Suleiman Chukuba, by councilors.
The lawmakers said that the purported suspension did not follow due process.
The new twist came after no fewer than 50 associations in Shiroro registered their displeasure over the face-off and called for the immediate reinstatement of the embattled chairman, while describing the alleged financial misappropriation against him as more of political gimmick than real.
Besides, the state legislature also said that failure of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello to constitute a committee to investigate the allegations against the chairman within seven days of the receipt of such petition in accordance with section 31 (2) of the local government law as amended, rendered the suspension null and void.
The member representing Bosso Constituency in the assembly, Hon. Malik Bosso, who made the position of the house known in an interview with newsmen in Minna, argued that the suspension remained voided since the governor refused to constitute any committee to investigate all allegations against Suleiman Chukuba by the Councillors within seven days of the receipt of the petition.
According to Bosso said, “In the eyes of the law guiding Niger State Local Government Areas, the petition should be declared null and void. It can no longer stand except another petition is brought against the Shiroro Local Government Chairman.
“The position of the local government law is very clear on this. The law says the Governor shall set up a committee of not more than three persons of integrity within three days of the receipt of the petition to conduct an investigation into such allegations.
“By the records before us, the petition was submitted to the Governor since 20th of December, 2020 and up till today the 10th of February, the Governor is yet to set up any committee to verify the allegations on its merits or otherwise”.
Bosso further said, “There is no way the chairman can be removed without setting up a fact-finding committee. He is also entitled to defend himself in person or by legal representation.
“But all these were not followed”.
Bosso therefore said that the chairman’s continued suspension amounts to invitation to chaos.
“As lawmakers we will not support any act of illegality that could cause possible breakdown of law and order. Suleiman Chukuba remains the authentic Chairman of Shiroro Local Government”.
Meanwhile, Coalition of Shiroro Associations made up of about 50 different groups from the 15 Wards that made up Shiroro Local Government Area have declared that the suspension of the chairman ‘cannot stand’.