Speaker kicks as members of Kogi assembly ‘abscond from duty’

Umar Imam, speaker of the Kogi state house of assembly, has frowned at the “persistent truancy” of members, describing the situation as “embarrassing and frustrating”.

Speaking on Thursday when the plenary could not hold as only 11 of the 25 members were in attendance, Imam said the lawmakers had brought a “big shame” to the legislative arm of government.

Imam regretted that the house had often failed to form a quorum to carry out its legislative business.

He expressed surprise at the low turnout “especially since members were duly informed of the urgent need for them to attend the day’s plenary”.

“Legislators must take their jobs seriously; we must avoid unnecessary absenteeism and be ready to serve the mandate owners,” he said on Thursday.

The house was billed to consider the report of its ad hoc committee on the review/amendment of the assembly’s standing rules.

Imam ordered that members should, henceforth, obtain due permission before they could absent themselves from plenary.

“There should be no carpet announcement of absenteeism anymore.”