A fresh controversy is brewing at the Adamawa State House of Assembly following the lawmakers’ decision to clear the daughter of a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, Ms. Fatima Abubakar, and the son of the state paramount traditional ruler, Lamido Adamawa, Muhammad Barkindo-Mustapha, as commissioners in absentia.
Governor Jibrilla Bindow had last week forwarded the names of 22 nominees for to the Assembly for screening as commissioners.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that out of the 12 nominees scheduled for appearance before the House of Assembly for the first phase of the screening exercise on Thursday, only 10 nominees honored the invitation.
Our reporter observed that those who were missing at the screening session were Ms. Abubakar and Mr. Barkindo Mustapha, whose nomination, at the outset, received a barrage of criticism.
The Assembly however recanted on the screening of Ahmed Sajoh, an aide to former Governor Murtala Nyako, after earlier asking him to “bow and go” in recognition of his contribution to the state.
A member representing Mubi South, Abdurrahman Abubakar, had earlier during the screening urged the Assembly to clear Mr. Sajoh after extolling his virtues as a competent person with good track record of service.
Shortly after the screening session, spectators at the gallery were surprised when the speaker announced that 11 nominees, including Ms. Abubakar and Mr. Barkindo were confirmed, leaving out Mr. Sajoh without giving reasons for the decision.
Reacting to the development, a political analyst in the state, Muhammad Ismail, noted with shock that “the exercise would have been termed a complete success but for two glaring glitches”.
Mr. Ismail’s position on the matter however allied with the reaction of several other residents of the state.
The political analyst noted that the lawmakers compromised the established confirmation process by screening the two nominees in absentia
“I have every cause to say and believe that the change which we toiled for by electing the new set of lawmakers is being frittered away on the alter of egregious grandstanding, unwarranted ego and utter foolishness and it is a signal of bad, shaky and faulty beginning, and it has bad effect on the future.
“The development clearly signifies that Adamawa State House of Assembly’s law will be trampled upon with impunity at the instance of nonsensical, mundane, selfish and personal egos of the members of the State House of Assembly,” he stressed.
According to him, it was the first time in the history of the Assembly that two standards were set — one for the poor and the other for the rich.
“I have never heard of a time ministers or commissioners were screened in absentia no matter their influence or positions, but yesterday (Thursday), Adamawa State House of Assembly has set a precedent by screening and approving the nomination of the daughter of former Vice President Dr. Fatima Atiku Abubakar and another nominee [Mr. Barkindo].
“The situation has also shown the level of contempt the two absentee nominees have for both the House of Assembly and the generality of Adamawa people by refusing to turn up during the screening process, making people to hold the notion that the two are above both the law and the ordinary people of Adamawa State,” Mr. Ismail said.
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