Nasarawa State House of Assembly Welcomes a New Speaker and Deputy Speaker
Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA) has elected Danladi Jatau as its new Speaker, representing Kokona West Constituency. The announcement was made on Friday, following the recent legal developments that led to the removal of the former Speaker, Ibrahim Abdullahi Balarabe.
The election also saw the appointment of Mohammed Oyanki, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Doma North, as the Deputy Speaker. This decision comes on the heels of the Court of Appeal’s verdict that ousted Balarabe as the Member representing Ugya/Umaisha Constituency. The court declared PDP’s Abdullahi Sa’ad as the rightful winner of the 2023 poll, leading to the reshuffling of leadership within the NSHA.
Both Danladi Jatau and Mohammed Oyanki were administered oaths of office, solidifying their positions within the state legislature. Oyanki, succeeding Abel Bala, a second-term serving Member representing Nassarawa Eggon West Constituency, is expected to bring his wealth of experience to the role of Deputy Speaker.
The recent political developments took place in the backdrop of legal proceedings that led to the removal of the former Speaker, prompting a swift and decisive response from the State Assembly.
Governor Abdullahi Sule, earlier this week, presented the 2024 appropriation bill of 199.8 billion to the House, which was presided over by Abel Bala as the Acting Speaker during that period.
The budget for the 2024 fiscal year, tagged ‘Budget Of Renewed Commitment,’ reflects the state government’s priorities and goals for the coming year. The Nasarawa State House of Assembly, under its new leadership, is poised to deliberate and scrutinize the proposed budget in the best interest of the state’s development.
The election of Danladi Jatau as the new Speaker and Mohammed Oyanki as the Deputy Speaker marks a significant chapter in the political landscape of Nasarawa State, as the Assembly prepares to navigate its legislative responsibilities under this renewed leadership.