KEY POINTS

• Zamfara Assembly suspended the chairmen of Kaura Namoda and Bukkuyum councils over alleged financial misconduct.
• The lawmakers said the officials refused to honour invitations to explain expenditure of council funds.
• The suspended chairmen were directed to hand over to their vice chairmen pending the outcome of the investigation.

The Zamfara State House of Assembly has suspended two local government council chairmen over alleged financial misappropriation, as part of efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability in local government administration.

The suspension was disclosed in a statement by the House spokesperson, Bello Madaro Kurya, who said the decision followed the presentation of a report by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during plenary.

The affected officials are Mannir Mu’azu Haidara of Kaura Namoda Local Government Council and Umar A. Faru of Bukkuyum Local Government Council.

The report was presented by the Deputy Speaker, Adamu Aliyu Gumm, who also serves as vice chairman of the committee. It forms part of an ongoing investigation into the financial activities of the 14 local government councils in the state for the 2025 fiscal year.

Chairmen accused of refusing to honour invitations

According to the committee, the two chairmen were recommended for suspension due to their alleged refusal to honour invitations issued to them to explain the expenditure of funds allocated to their councils.

The committee stated that the invitations were meant to enable the officials provide clarification regarding financial transactions under their administration. Their failure to appear before the lawmakers was described as a deliberate act that hindered the investigation.

Following deliberations presided over by the Speaker, Bilyaminu Moriki, the House unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendations and approved the immediate suspension of the two chairmen pending the conclusion of the probe.

Kurya said the affected officials have been directed to immediately hand over the administration of their councils to their respective vice chairmen while investigations continue.

He added that the House identified acts of disrespect to the legislative institution, as well as lack of transparency and accountability, as the primary infractions that warranted the disciplinary action.

The Assembly also adopted all recommendations contained in the report titled Investigation into the Financial Activities of the 14 Local Government Councils for the Financial Year 2025. The resolutions have been transmitted to the executive arm for implementation in the interest of good governance and fiscal discipline.

The House reiterated its commitment to ensuring prudent management of public resources and safeguarding public trust in governance at the grassroots level. Efforts to reach the suspended chairmen for comments were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls.