Stewardship: Nasarawa State House Of Assembly’s Speaker And 22 Years Journey So Far.
The Speaker on assumption of office six years ago has performed beyond expectation of his people in Umaisha/Ugya constituency in Toto local government area of Nasarawa State.
Who Is Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Balarabe, The Nasarawa State House Of Assembly Speaker.
Global Times Nigeria has in this special report unveiled a Groundbreaking performance of the Speaker, Rt. Hon Abdullahi Ibrahim Balarabe.
It’s now on record that his tenure has witnessed the passage of the highest number of bills in the annals of history of the Assembly.
No wander, some past and present leaders has adjudged Balarabe leadership as best in the State.
“He is an asset to the ruling APC” ~Sen. Almakura
“He is a blessing to the State” ~ Gov. Sule
“He is the best Man for the job” ~House Leader.
“He stabilize the system” – Nasarawa Former Speaker.
Received Award of Most Outstanding Speaker of State Assembly, North Central Nigeria.
There is no doubt that the creation of Nasarawa State on the 1st October, 1996, by late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, marked a watershed in the political history of the state.
Three years after the creation of the state, Nigeria returned to democratic rules on May 29th, 1999, under the Presidential System of Government with Three arms of government namely, the Executive, The Legislature and the Judiciary to achieve the objectives of separation of powers, enhancement of checks and balance for good governance.
As in many other states of the federation, the ushering in of the democratic dispensation gave room for the full take-off of Nasarawa State House of Assembly as related below;
(1) 6th June, 1999. First Assembly was inaugurated with Musa Ateru Agyo (PDP Keana constituency) elected as pioneer Speaker and served for one tenure 1999-2003.
(2) 6th June, 2003. Second Assembly was inaugurated with Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (PDP Doma North) elected as Speaker and served for One tenure 2003-2007.
(3) 6th June, 2007. Third Assembly inaugurated and after 4 years, the 4th Assembly was equally inaugurated and the 8 years saw Musa Ahmed Muhammed (PDP Nasarawa Central) serving as Speaker of both the 3rd and the 4th Assemblies respectively (2007 to 2015).
(4) The 5th Assembly was inaugurated on the 9th June, 2015 with Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi (APC Umaisha/Ugya) elected as Speaker and still re-elected as Speaker of the present 6th Assembly when it was inaugurated on 10th June 2019.
The Basic functions of the state assembly.
Basically, the state legislative arm has its primary responsibility as *LAW MAKING and OVERSIGHT FUNCTIONS.
Records of bills passed into law in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly since its inception: 22 years ago in summary:
1, First Assembly = 33 bills.
2. Second Assembly = 20bills.
3. Third Assembly = 31 bills.
4. Fourth Assembly= 45bills.
5. Firth Assembly = 48bills.
6. Sixth Assembly = 44 bills (within 2 years).
With the above records, there is no gain saying the fact that the 6th Assembly under Speaker Balarabe, will, by the end of its tenure, in the next two years, have exceeded all the bills passed by the previous tenures before him.
Oversight functions
Aside the law making, Oversight is the second primary responsibility of the state Legislative Arm. Here, the credit should go to the Speaker and members for embarking on effective oversight functions akin to what is happening at the National Assembly.
The results of the oversight functions by the House led to the discovering of massive frauds in the projects execution in public schools among other abnormalities by some top government officials.
Some of those involved were brought to book just as the entire government apparatuses in the state are now forced to strengthen providence, judicious use of resources, discipline and accountability.
On private member bills
Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi, despite being the presiding officer of the House painstakingly took time to also sponsor his private member bills, thus setting another records.
To this end, some of the bills he sponsored include: “A Bill for a Law to Prohibit Violence Against Persons” and that of “A Law to Amend the Area Court Law of 1968.”
On executive /legislative relationship
It is also on record that the Balarabe Abdullahi led 5th and 6th Assemblies in the state provided examples of the most effective synergy with other arms of government, especially with the executive.
Speaker Balarabe assumed office in June, 2015 under Governor Tanko Almakura and met a system that was skeptical of itself, full of doubt and suspicious which was riped between the executive and the legislature, as a result of soar relationship that had cropped up begining from the 4th Assembly and Gov. Al-makura as a result of an unfortunate impeachment move initiated against the Governor.
Balarabe Abdullahi succeeded in dispelling mutual suspicion that had built up and in its place created cordial relationship, unity and understanding between the two arms of government, thus paving the way for system workability and speedy development of the state.
On stability
Nasarawa Assembly has become one of the most stable, peaceful and model for emulation as Hon members work in unity as one indivisible family and according to most of them always saying *”there is no opposition members in the House but members from the other party, ” to demonstrate their oneness and unity of purpose.
Vote of Confidence
It is to the credit of the good leadership of Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi, that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, members in the House under their leader, Hon. Danladi Jatau (Minority leader then) passed a vote of confidence on him for his leadership skills and all inclusiveness.
That is not all, the entire House also unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker in a motion moved by Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Umar Tanko Tunga and seconded by Hon Muhammed Odege Okpoku, who himself, once contested with Balarabe during the 6th Assembly speakership election.
According to Hon. Tanko Tunga, all the members of the House have unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the Speaker for his leadership qualities describing him as the best Speaker the House has ever produced.
Views of Gov. Abdullahi A. Sule, Sen. Almakura and Former Speaker
The immediate passed governor of the state and senator representing Nasarawa South, Umaru Tanko Almakura, once described Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi, as a great asset to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, in Nigeria, considering his support for his administration and concerns he has for his people.
On his part, Governor Abdullahi Sule said Speaker Balarabe Abdullahi is a blessing to the state and his people.
The two term former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Musa Ahmed Muhammed, who preceded Balarabe, hailed the current speaker for his leadership skills, saying that Speaker Balarabe has stabilized the system and enhanced the dignity of the institution.
The crux of the matter, as could be deduced from the foregoing, no wonder, was the award of *”THE MOST OUTSTANDING STATE ASSEMBLY SPEAKER IN THE NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA, “by the committee on the late Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto Merit Award Foundation.
The Number Three Citizen and Number One Law Maker in Nasarawa State, Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi (Wali Opanda).
It is this premise the people of Umaisha/Ugya and by extension Toto LG populace urged him to return to the house to compliment his efforts, saying that the State never had it so good like his reign.
