BY Samuel Akpan
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger has tackled Umar Bago, governor of the state, for travelling to Saudi Arabia with top government officials.
Bago, Yakubu Garba, his deputy, and Abdulmalik Daji, speaker of the state house of assembly, were said to have travelled to perform the 2024 hajj in Saudi Arabia.
Some members of the house of assembly and cabinet members were also said to have joined the governor on the trip, leaving Abubakar Usman, secretary of the state government (SSG), in charge of governance.
Speaking with TheCable on Thursday, Yahaya Ability, the zonal chairman of the PDP in Niger state, described the development as “surprising”.
The opposition leader said the absence of the governor without handing over the affairs of the state to his deputy, who has also left to perform hajj, violates section 190 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.
“We are surprised to see this,” he said.
“Section 190 (1) of the 1999 Constitution states that whenever the governor transmits to the speaker of the house of assembly, a written declaration that he is proceeding on vacation or that he is otherwise unable to discharge the functions of his office until he transmits to the speaker of the house of assembly a written declaration to the contrary such functions shall be discharged by the deputy governor as acting governor.”
The PDP chieftain alleged that state officials, including 13 members of the house of assembly are in Saudi Arabia for hajj.
He lamented that the state is being ravaged by insecurity as three LGAs, including Shiroro, are under bandit attacks.
“We have so many challenges of insecurity. With hardship,” he said.
The party chieftain asked President Bola Tinubu to intervene and call the state government to order.
Bologi Ibrahim, chief press secretary to Bago, did not respond to calls and text messages seeking comments on the governor’s trip.
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