Niger lawmaker suspend screening of commissioner-nominees over few number of Christians

The Niger State House of Assembly has suspended the screening of the commissioner-nominees submitted by Governor Umar Bago over the number of Christians on the list.

On the list forwarded, it was gathered that only three are Christians, representing 10 per cent out of 30 names, which they described as “not fair enough.”

The Christians on the list include Mrs Elizabeth Shaba from Paikoro LG, Ibrahim Mami Ijah from Tafa LG as well as Mourice Magaji, from Munya LG.

Newspot gathered that the lawmakers allegedly met during the weekend, where they questioned the unfairness in the list and insisted that before attending the screening, the number should increase to at least 30 per cent.

Newspot recalls that the Speaker of the Niger Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji had summoned an emergency meeting on the matter

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Reacting to the list at the Annual State Convention of the Women Wing of Christian Association of Nigeria (WOWICAN), Niger State chapter in Kutigi, one of the assembly members representing Lavun Constituency, Hon. Yusuf Baba Dabban, during his address, noted that Christians and Muslims in the State are one, saying the Lawmakers have requested that the list should be adjusted.

He insisted, “When we received the list, we looked at it and discovered that there is no iota of guidance. And we, the lawmakers, §especially the Principal officers, are already making a recommendation that Christians comprise 30% or at per cent of the executive council.”

He explained that he personally invited the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Afiniki Eunice Dauda, to attend the convention, but due to the development, she and other lawmakers decided to stay back to see that the Governor acts fast.

Hon Dabban further assured that the Legislators will meet with the Governor on the need to act accordingly, adding, “we will advise him, and I know by the special grace of God he has a listening ear and he will listen to us.”

Earlier, the State Chairperson, WOWICAN, Deaconess Deborah Amina Gana had urged the State Governor to see and treat all Nigerlites as one without religious, tribal and or political bias.