Kogi assembly suspends nine lawmakers over ‘acts of terrorism, electoral violence’

The Kogi house of assembly has suspended nine lawmakers over alleged acts of terrorism and electoral violence during Saturday’s election in the state.

NAN reports that the suspended lawmakers are Muktar Bajeh (majority leader – Okehi), Daniya Ranyi (Bassa), Suleiman Attajachi (Idah), Bello Hassan (Ajaokuta), and Edoko Moses-Ododo (Ibaji).

Others are Abubakar Tanko (Kogi/Koto), Atabor Cosmas-Llemona (Igalamela/Odolu) Kilani Olusola-Olumo (Ijumu), and Mohammed Lawi-Ahmed (Okene 1).

The suspension follows a communication transmitted by Yahaya Bello, governor of the state.

Also, the house received a communication from the state leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) demanding the suspension of seven local government chairmen for alleged acts of electoral violence.

Speaking on Bello’s letter, Matthew Kolawale, speaker of the house, said the conduct of the suspended lawmakers was “very unfortunate” and uncalled for”.

Speaking on the matter, Alfa Rabiu-Momoh, deputy speaker, said the state is bigger than any lawmaker’s personal interest.

“I’m in strong support of their suspension simply because the state is bigger than any personal interest. Lawmakers should not be found contravening the laws, which they themselves made,” Rabiu-Momoh said.

Thereafter, the house suspended Dansabe Muhammed, the Lokoja LGA chairman and the leader of the legislative arm over the alleged misappropriation of N150 million revenue allocations received by the council.