Bauchi speaker, deputy resign as assembly re-elects sacked predecessor

Babayo Akuyam, speaker of Bauchi house of assembly, and Ahmed Abdullahi, his deputy, have resigned from their positions. 

Akuyam and Abdullahi announced their resignation at the plenary on Wednesday.

This is to pave way for the return of Abubakar Suleiman, the former speaker, and Jamilu Dahiru, ex-deputy speaker, to their positions.

In November 2023, the court of appeal sacked Suleiman, who is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) representing Ningi central constituency of Ningi LGA of the state.

Suleiman was declared winner of the March 18, 2023 elections with 16,866 votes, while Khalid Abdulmalik-Ningi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) polled 15,065.

However, Abdulmalik-Ningi challenged the outcome of the election at the governorship election petition tribunal.

The appeal court held that the election that produced Suleiman was full of irregularities and ordered a rerun in 10 polling units in the constituency.

On February 3, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Suleiman and Dahiru winners of the February 3 and 4, 2024 rerun election in their constuencies, respectively.

Speaking at plenary, the outgoing speaker said the action was part of the agreement reached by the lawmakers to enable the duo to return to their positions.

He thanked the lawmakers and legislative staff for their support and cooperation.

On his part, Suleiman pledged to provide effective legislations for the betterment of the lives of the people.