‘Electing him was a mistake’ — constituents move to recall Zamfara rep suspended by APC

Constituents of Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji in Zamfara state have commenced mobilisation for the recall of Sani Jaji, a member of house of representatives, suspended from the All Progressive Congress (APC).

On May 17, APC in Zamfara suspended Jaji over allegations of “anti-party activities” in the 2023 elections.

The lawmaker represents the Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji federal constituency in the house of representatives.

He is the chairman of the house committee on ecological fund.

In a statement on Saturday, the Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency Coalition for Sustainable Democracy, a civil society organisation (CSO), said the move for Jaji’s recall is in line with the provisions of section 69 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

The statement was signed by Bello Mahmud, chairman of Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency Coalition for Sustainable Democracy.

Mahmud said the constitution provides that “a member of the senate or house of representatives may be recalled if a petition signed by more than one-half of registered voters is presented to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alleging loss of confidence”.

“The petition is thereafter, in a referendum conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission within ninety days of the date of receipt of the petition, approved by a simple majority of the votes of the persons registered to vote in that member’s constituency,” he said.

Mahmud said the constituents have made a move requesting recall forms for the removal of the lawmaker from the state INEC.

The chairman said Kaura Nomoda and Birnin Magaji are among the LGAs worst affected by banditry, adding that Jaji has never visited displaced persons in the area.

He said Jaji has also never provided relief items for victims of banditry in his constituency, adding that the lawmaker did not fulfil any of his electoral promises to the people.

“Our two local government areas are among the areas mostly affected by frequent attacks by armed bandits, many people have been killed, kidnapped for ransom, cattle rustled, and houses and property worth millions of naira burnt down,” the chairman said.

“Many people are internally displaced from their communities in Kaura Namoda LGA Sakajiki, Kasuwar Daji, Rututu, Kurya Madaro, Dogon Kade, Kungurki, Sabon Garin, Kiyawa, Danisa, and Birnin Magaji.”

He said other communities and towns affected by banditry include Gora, Chigama, Shamushalle, Billashe, Modomawa, Nasarawa Mailayi, Sabon Birnin Danalli, and Birnin Magaji.

“The constituents note with dismay the performance of the lawmaker in the federal house of representatives is below expectation,” Mahmud added.

“He failed woefully in providing good representation to the good people of the constituency.

“Jaji lacks the political sagacity and tenacity of purpose required of a lawmaker representing a state under bandits’ siege.

“We call on all lovers of democracy, good governance, security, and effective representation in the national assembly to come out en masse and endorse the recall of Hon. Aminu Jaji from the house of representatives.

“We made a mistake by electing Hon. Jaji, who uses our mandate to work against his constituency.”