Commissioners: Katsina legislators fault ‘lopsided’ appointments

The Katsina State House of Assembly yesterday allegedly waved away constitutional provision and petitions to clear commissioner nominees sent to it by Governor Aminu Masari.

During the screening exercise, some members raised concerns over omissions of some local governments while others have two nominees.

There are 34 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state but following the reported restructuring by the new administration of Governor Aminu Masari, only 13 names were submitted to the house to be cleared as commissioners.

Even then, some LGAs, such as Faskari had two nominees.

Ibrahim Mahuta, the member representing Malumfashi state constituency, said the selection contravenes the constitution.

According to him, “Just as obtained in Section 192 of the Constitution that gives power to the governor to appoint commissioners, however, Section 14 subsection 4 asked him to make the appointments for representation across board in line with social justice.

“If it (commissionership) could not go round, consideration should be to zones and federal constituencies; but a situation where two came from one place is unconstitutional,” he added.

Similarly, Yunusa Idris (APC Musawa), drew the attention of the House to petitions written against nomination of Mariyatu Bala Usman as the nominee from his constituency.

Our correspondent reports that several deliberations ensued between members on the way forward. However, Speaker Aliyu Muduru stepped in a voice vote that cleared the nomination of all the names forwarded by Governor Masari.

Those cleared and confirmed by the House include Professor Halimatu Sadiya, Mustapha Mohammed Kanti, Abdu Habu Dankum, Hamza Suleiman and Hamza Mohammed Borodo.

Others are, A.U Elmarzuk, Abdulkadir Zakka, Muntari Abdulkadir, Salisu Modibo, Mariyatu Bala Usman, Abubakar Sada Ilu, Tasiu Dandagoro and Abubakar Yusuf.