Controversy in Adamawa After Assembly Clear Atiku's Daughter for Commissioner in Absentia

 

The decision of lawmakers to clear Fatima Abubakar, the daughter of a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, and Muhammad Barkindo-Mustapha, the son of the state paramount traditional ruler, Lamido Adamawa, as commissioners in absentia has lead to a fresh controversy at the Adamawa State House of Assembly.

It was gathered that out of the 12 nominees scheduled for appearance before the House of Assembly for the first phase of the screening exercise on Thursday, only 10 nominees honoured the invitation. It was observed that those who were missing at the screening session were Ms. Abubakar and Mr. Barkindo Mustapha, whose nomination, at the outset, received a barrage of criticism.

Shortly after the screening session, spectators at the gallery were surprised when the speaker announced that 11 nominees, including Ms. Abubakar and Mr. Barkindo were confirmed.

A political analyst in the state, Muhammad Ismail, noted with shock that "the exercise would have been termed a complete success but for two glaring glitches". He noted that the lawmakers compromised the established confirmation process by screening the two nominees in absentia.

"I have every cause to say and believe that the change which we toiled for by electing the new set of lawmakers is being frittered away on the alter of egregious grandstanding, unwarranted ego and utter foolishness and it is a signal of bad, shaky and faulty beginning, and it has bad effect on the future.

The development clearly signifies that Adamawa State House of Assembly’s law will be trampled upon with impunity at the instance of nonsensical, mundane, selfish and personal egos of the members of the State House of Assembly," he stressed.

According to him, it was the first time in the history of the Assembly that two standards were set — one for the poor and the other for the rich.

"I have never heard of a time ministers or commissioners were screened in absentia no matter their influence or positions, but yesterday (Thursday), Adamawa State House of Assembly has set a precedent by screening and approving the nomination of the daughter of former Vice President Dr. Fatima Atiku Abubakar and another nominee [Mr. Barkindo].

The situation has also shown the level of contempt the two absentee nominees have for both the House of Assembly and the generality of Adamawa people by refusing to turn up during the screening process, making people to hold the notion that the two are above both the law and the ordinary people of Adamawa State," Mr. Ismail said.

 

Source: Premium Times