A major political shakeup has hit Lafia Local Government Area as both the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and the Lafia Legislative Council handed down separate suspensions to the LG Chairman and the Legislative Speaker, forcing their deputies to immediately take control of both arms of government.
The State Assembly, during Tuesday’s plenary, suspended the Chairman of Lafia Local Government Council, Hon. Mohammad Haliru Arabo, for three months over his alleged involvement in the controversial impeachment of the council’s speaker.
The suspension followed a motion of public importance moved by Hon. Musa Ibrahim Abubakar, Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, PhD, who announced the resolution, said the decision was necessary to maintain order and ensure an unbiased investigation.
He directed the Deputy Chairman, Hon. Uba Arikiya, to take full charge of Lafia LGA pending the completion of the probe.
“This matter affects the peace and stability of Lafia Local Government Area,” the Speaker said.
“The Chairman is hereby suspended for three months to allow for proper investigation.”
Meanwhile, in a separate but interconnected development, the Lafia Legislative Council suspended its Speaker, Mohammed Shuaibu Madaki, for six months over allegations of abuse of office and gross misconduct.
The suspension, announced during a plenary session presided over by Deputy Speaker Shuaibu Muhammad, followed a motion moved by Yakubu Aliyu (APC, Ciroman) and seconded by Mohammed Abubakar (APC, Wakwa).
A five-man investigative committee chaired by Lazarus Okugya (APC, Assakio) has been mandated to probe the allegations and report back.
With Tuesday’s twin suspensions, both the executive and legislative arms of Lafia LGA are now being run by their deputies, marking an unprecedented power shift in the political structure of the state capital.
Political observers say the events represent one of the most dramatic episodes in Lafia’s recent political history and may trigger broader implications for governance and stability across Nasarawa State.
