The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Lafia Local Government Council, Mohammad Haliru-Arabo, for a period of three months following his alleged role in the impeachment crisis rocking the council’s legislative arm.
The decision was announced on Tuesday by Speaker, Danladi Jatau after a motion of public importance was moved by Musa Ibrahim-Abubakar, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, during plenary in Lafia.
Jatau said the suspension was necessary to enable a neutral and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the impeachment of the Speaker of the Lafia Legislative Council.
He noted that the crisis, if left unchecked, could destabilise not only the local government but also the state capital.
“This issue threatens the peace and stability of Lafia Local Government, the seat of power in the state,” Jatau stated.
“Accordingly, the Chairman is hereby suspended for three months pending the outcome of the House Committee’s investigation.”
The Speaker directed the Deputy Chairman of Lafia LGA, Uba Arikiya, to immediately assume leadership of the council until the probe is concluded.
He also instructed the Clerk of the House to formally communicate the Assembly’s resolution to Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Lawmakers who contributed to the debate, including Dr Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Suleiman Yakubu Azara, and Larry Ven-Bawa, unanimously supported the suspension.
They argued that Haliru-Arabo’s involvement in legislative matters, particularly in announcing the impeachment of the council’s Speaker, was unlawful and risked escalating tensions.
Ibrahim-Abubakar, who initiated the motion, warned that the chairman’s actions could fuel a broader crisis if not urgently addressed.
“The Chairman has no authority to announce the suspension of a legislative Speaker. Such interference is dangerous and capable of igniting conflict within the council,” he said.
The Assembly also resolved that the current leadership structure of the Lafia Legislative Council remains unchanged pending the outcome of the investigation.
In another development, the House passed the first reading of a bill seeking to repeal and re-enact the Nasarawa State Harmonization and Administration of Revenue Law.
The bill was introduced by Majority Leader Suleiman Yakubu Azara and seconded by Minority Leader Luka Iliya Zhekaba.
The Speaker scheduled December 16, 2025, for the bill’s second reading.
The House adjourned after unanimously approving the first reading.
