The Zamfara State House of Assembly on Tuesday issued ultimatum ordering the Deputy Governor Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, to appear before it, within 48 hours, over allegations of official misconduct.
The Federal High Court, Abuja had on July 19 restrained the state House of Assembly and the Chief Judge from taking steps to impeach the Deputy Governor.
The retraining order came 20 days after the state Governor Bello Matawalle defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), while the Deputy Governor decided to remain in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The decisions of the two personalities have resulted to confrontations between them.
The Tuesday’s ultimatum by the legislators followed a motion moved by the Deputy Leader, Nasiru Bello Bungudu, which was seconded by Shafi’u Dama Wanke representing Gusau II constituency.
Gusau was asked to come and explain why he held a political rally he spearheaded on July 10, over rising banditry in the state.
The legislator also questioned why the state Commissioner of Police, Hussaini Rabi’u, permitted the Deputy governor to hold a political rally at that “unfortunate period when the state was mourning the death of over 56 innocent people at Faru community in Maradun Local Government Area of the state.”
Bungudu said the Deputy governor had earlier been summoned to appear before the House on July 27, but no response was heard either from him or his office.
“There is the compelling need for the House to still respect the exalted office of the Deputy Governor and give him additional timeframe of 48 hours that’s Thursday 29th July 2021 for him to respond,” a statement by the House spokesman, Mustapha Jafaru, said.
After a voice vote the House agreed to extend 48 hours ultimatum to the Deputy Governor.
