The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has suspended the Chairman of Lafia Local Government Council, Mohammad Haliru-Arabo, for three months over his alleged involvement in the impeachment crisis rocking the council’s legislative arm.
The suspension was announced on Tuesday by the Speaker of the House, Danladi Jatau, following the adoption of a motion of public importance moved by Musa Ibrahim-Abubakar, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, during plenary in Lafia.
Jatau said the action was taken to allow for a neutral and comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the purported impeachment of the Speaker of the Lafia Legislative Council.
He warned that the crisis, if not properly handled, could threaten peace and stability in Lafia Local Government Area and the state capital.
“This issue threatens the peace and stability of Lafia Local Government, which is the seat of power in the state,” Jatau said.
“Accordingly, the Chairman is hereby suspended for a period of 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 while the investigation is ongoing.
He also instructed the Clerk of the House to formally communicate the resolution of the Assembly to Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Lawmakers who spoke in support of the motion, including Dr. Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Mohammed Garba Isimbabi, Suleiman Yakubu Azara and Larry Ven-Bawa, unanimously endorsed the suspension.
They argued that Haliru-Arabo’s alleged interference in legislative affairs, particularly in announcing the impeachment of the council’s Speaker, was unlawful and capable of escalating tensions within the local government.
Earlier, Ibrahim-Abubakar warned that the chairman’s actions could trigger a wider 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 House also resolved that the existing leadership of the Lafia Legislative Council should remain intact pending the outcome of the investigation.
Meanwhile, the Assembly 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 presented by the Majority Leader, Suleiman Yakubu Azara, and seconded by the Minority Leader, Luka Iliya Zhekaba.
Speaker Jatau fixed December 16, 2025, for the second reading of the bill before adjourning plenary after the unanimous approval of the first reading.
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