Niger assembly wants ex-gov Aliyu probed

The Niger state house of assembly on Thursday directed Abubakar Bello, governor of the state, to probe the activities of the administration of Babangida Aliyu.

The house made the resolution following a motion moved by Mohammed Haruna, a member representing Bida II constituency.

The motion listed 22 activities of the past administration that should be investigated.

Among the activities listed for investigation are how the local government joint account was operated, the ward development projects, bonds and the Minna airport city project.

Other activities include Minna city centre project, the 5 star hotel, the three arms zone project, sales of government property to public officers and alleged N2.6 billion shared on the eve of the past administration’s exit.

“If there are relevant provisions of our laws that empower us to check and correct the defects and not allow business as usual, then our refusal to exercise such powers may be tantamount to compromising our cardinal responsibilities as representatives of our constituencies,” Haruna said.

However, Abdullahi Mamagi, representing Gbako constituency, expressed dissatisfaction with the manner the present government is handling the issue of probing the past administration.

“We are not trying to witch-hunt anyone. The issue at stake is that the resources of over 4 million people in Niger state had been pilfered, they should refund it,” he said.

Husseini Ibrahim, deputy speaker of the assembly, said that the committee set up to investigate the N2.6 billion issue, had not produced satisfactory results as expected by citizens.

The house then directed the clerk of the house to forward the resolution to the governor.