Nasarawa Speakership Tussle: Fresh Inauguration To Be Conducted For House Members

The crisis that has engulfed the Nasarawa State House of Assembly (NSHA) due the tussle for the Speakership of the House seems to be coming to an end as fresh inauguration is set to be held for all 24 Members of the 7th Assembly.

This was according to one of the fractional Speakers of the House of Assembly, Hon. Daniel Ogazi who addressed the press today (Friday July 21, 2023) in Lafia.

In his address, Hon. Daniel Ogazi said he has shelved his ambition to be Speaker of the House of Assembly.

Hon Ogazi said he came to this decision “Having entertained several calls, appeals from various quarters comprising critical stakeholders, both past and serving Governors, Senators, Former Ministers, Emir and Chiefs, Political Party Leaders, within and outside the State, cutting across political parties and most importantly, the loud call by our amiable President through His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State on the need to put Nasarawa first, bury our hatchets, unite for the progress and development of Nasarawa State.”

While appreciating all those who stood by him during the struggle, he appealed for understanding from his supporters saying the decision to back is borne from a desire to see the system working for the good of Nasarawa State.

Below is a full text of the address:

TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY RT. HON. DANIEL OGAH OGAZI AND MEMBERS OF THE NASARAWA STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY.

Fellow compatriots and dear Nasarawa State citizens,  gentle men of the press, ladies and gentlemen. It is with deep sense of patriotism and commitment to the greater good of Nasarawa State that I address you today on behalf of our team to appeal to your individual conscience and humanity in a patriotic step to chart the course to move Nasarawa State forward.

First, we are worried that while other states of the federation since the inception of this new dispensation have recorded tremendous successes in the areas of infrastructural development, people oriented projects and programs, for we in Nasarawa State, governance have been negatively impacted due to lack of a functional state Assembly. A situation that has plunged the state into needless constitutional crisis, attracting negative attention from within and outside the state.

I am equally worried that my ambition to be Speaker of the 7th Assembly has aroused opposition with an attendant negative consequence on governance in the state. This unfortunate development is a serious course for concern for any well meaning Nasarawa citizen, a patriotic call to reconsider my stance and come to a compromise, not because it’s the right thing to do but because it is a decision that best serve our collective interest as a state in order to make any reasonable progress.

It is a known fact that I contested the Speakership position in the State Assembly, with the support of members and won by a simple majority votes. However, I wish to appeal to the good conscience of all patriotic citizens of Nasarawa State, especially our most esteemed supporters to see reasons with us on why Nasarawa State must make progress regardless of my ambition or any personal interest.

Having entertained several calls, appeals from various quarters comprising critical stakeholders, both past and serving Governors, Senators, Former Ministers, Emir and Chiefs, Political Party Leaders, within and outside the State, cutting across political parties and most importantly, the loud call by our amiable President through His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, Executive Governor of Nasarawa State on the need to put Nasarawa first, bury our hatchets, unite for the progress and development of Nasarawa state.

It is on this note, with all humility and deep sense of responsibility, I hereby set aside my Speakership ambition with an assurance to henceforth unite and work for the collective good and  in the overall interest of the State. It should however be noted that the Speakership position will be decided by members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly and not any individual. It is in this regards that members have mutually agreed that the house will be re-inaugurated and fresh elections conducted. This is the agreement that has culminated into today’s verdict by the State High Court Lafia.

Our deepest gratitude, more importantly apologies to our most cherished supporters. Whatever pains and disappointment this crisis and its outcome must have caused is deeply regretted. The decision to back down is not about our persons but to see the system work again.

There is no better description to quantify the level of indebtedness to my Distinguished Members and our patriotic citizens, first for believing in me and secondly, keeping faith with our noble struggle. I dare say that as a result of this struggle, democracy is been strengthened and has come to stay in Nasarawa State. We shall continue to remain advocates of democracy and good governance.

We thank you most sincerely for the massive support and solidarity shown all through this Speakership quest  and further recommit to your service in the best of our  abilities and as God may continually help us.
Thank you for listening.

Hon. Daniel Ogah Ogazi
Member Representing Kokona East and Leader of the Team.
Friday, 20th July, 2023.