A series of rapid suspensions within Lafia Local Government on Monday triggered confusion and raised questions about due process, as both the Legislative Arm of the council and the Nasarawa State House of Assembly moved against key officials in a matter of hours.
The crisis began when the Lafia Legislative Council suspended its Speaker, Hon. Mohammed Shuaibu Madaki, for alleged misconduct.
The motion for the suspension was moved by Hon. Yakubu Aliyu (APC, Ciroman Ward) and seconded by Hon. Mohammed Abubakar (APC).
However, legal observers say the action did not follow the council’s Standing Orders, noting that no investigation, fair hearing, or two-thirds majority vote was confirmed before the suspension.
Following the development, legislators announced a Deputy Speaker as Acting Speaker, though no swearing-in was conducted.
Shortly after the council crisis, the Nasarawa State House of Assembly suspended the Lafia Local Government Chairman, Hon. Mohammed Haliru Arabo, for three months.
The Assembly directed the Deputy Chairman to take over leadership of the council.
In a dramatic twist, the unsworn Acting Speaker later reportedly announced the suspension of the unsworn Acting Chairman, creating additional confusion about the legality of the actions.
Political observers link the events to early positioning ahead of the 2027 political cycle, as various factions within the council and the ruling APC seek control of key structures.
Analysts say only the State Assembly’s suspension of the LG Chairman followed due procedure, while the other actions remain legally questionable.
The situation has left Lafia Local Government in a heightened state of uncertainty as authorities work to restore order.
