Rowdy session forces Niger Assembly to suspend sitting

The Niger State House of Assembly on Tuesday abruptly suspended plenary following a rowdy session triggered by what lawmakers described as unresolved issues between the legislature and the executive arm of government.

There were speculations that the lingering issues might not be unconnected to grievances arising from the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections.

Trouble began shortly after the commencement of the day’s sitting when the member representing Chanchaga Constituency, Mohammed Abubakar Kabir (Ustaz), moved a motion urging the House to step down proceedings until the outstanding matters were addressed.

According to him, history would judge the Assembly harshly if it allowed the unresolved issues to be swept under the carpet.

However, the lawmaker was prevented from detailing the issues on the floor as members agreed that the matter should be discussed during an executive session.

The development later degenerated into a heated debate when the member representing Lavun Constituency, Jibrin Ndagi Baba, opposed the motion and insisted that legislative business should continue since the House had already reconvened for the day’s sitting.

The disagreement sparked a rowdy session, forcing the House to suspend proceedings after the majority of lawmakers voted in support of stepping down the sitting.

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In his intervention, the Speaker of the House, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, appealed for calm and urged members to respect one another’s opinions.