Adamawa Assembly Under Lock And Key Over Attempt To Impeach Speaker, Fintiri

Fintiri-UmarThe Adamawa State House of Assembly was shut for the second time running on Monday over attempts by members to impeach the Speaker, Umaru Fintiri.

The House, scheduled to sit last week, shifted its plenary to Monday, April 27, following a threat by 11 out of 25 lawmakers to pass a vote of no confidence on Mr. Fintiri.

However, some lawmakers and staff, who showed up for work on Monday were disappointed as they were denied entry by policemen who said there was a directive not to allow anybody in.

A statement from the 11 lawmakers, signed by their spokesperson, Umar Abdulkareem, representing Nassarawo/Binyeri state constituency, called for opening of the House for normal legislative business.

“We, members of the Adamawa House of Assembly under the leadership of Hon Jerry Kumdisi wish to categorically state that Adamawa state House of Assembly complex which is under seal should be unsealed to enable the house to resume its legislative functions”, the statement read.

“By tradition the chamber is the designated place for legislative business even though the house can sit in any part of Adamawa state to legislate for good governance, peace and stability of state. The stalemate in the house is as a result of leadership high handedness and maladministration by Ahmadu Umar Fintiri. We therefore urge the good people of Adamawa state to be calm and remain law-abiding as this stalemate will soon be resolved”.

In his reaction, Mr. Fintiri, who spoke through his chief press secretary, Solomon Kumangar, did not adduce any reason for the closure of the House but insisted that there was no stalemate.

“The House of Assembly, as currently, does not wish to join issues with any one”, Mr. Kumangar said. “It’s also wishes to notify the public not to be misled by rumours of any stalemate”.