The Niger State House of Assembly has suspended its plenary sessions indefinitely following escalating disagreements with the executive arm of the state government over what lawmakers described as unresolved issues affecting the relationship between both arms of government.
The decision was reached during Tuesday’s sitting after a motion moved by Mohammed Abubakar-Kabir, popularly known as Ustaz, who represents Chanchaga Constituency. In his submission, the lawmaker argued that members of the Assembly could no longer ignore lingering concerns involving the executive, warning that history would judge them harshly if they continued to overlook matters that could undermine the independence and effectiveness of the legislature.
Although he did not publicly disclose the exact nature of the grievances, Abubakar-Kabir maintained that the lawmakers had a constitutional responsibility to defend the integrity of the legislative institution and ensure that unresolved issues with the executive were properly addressed before legislative activities resumed.
The motion received support from Abdulrahman Gambo, who represents Borgu Constituency, and was subsequently seconded for consideration by the House. However, the proposal sparked sharp divisions among members, with some lawmakers opposing the suspension and arguing that legislative business should continue despite existing disagreements.
Jibrin Ndagi-Baba, representing Lavun Constituency, introduced a counter-motion, insisting that suspending plenary was unnecessary and could disrupt important legislative responsibilities. He urged colleagues to allow the House to continue its work while seeking alternative avenues to resolve differences with the executive branch.
The disagreement triggered intense debates among lawmakers, with supporters and opponents of the motion engaging in heated exchanges that nearly turned the session into a rowdy affair. As tensions rose, Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkindaji intervened, calling for restraint and urging members to respect differing opinions in the interest of democracy and institutional stability.
Following prolonged arguments, the Speaker directed that the matter be decided through a vote. A majority of lawmakers voted in favour of suspending plenary, leading to the indefinite adjournment of legislative proceedings.
After taking the decision, members moved into a closed-door executive session to deliberate on the issues at the centre of the dispute. No official details were made public after the meeting, leaving observers and residents speculating about the exact source of the friction between the two arms of government.
The development has raised concerns among political observers, who warn that prolonged suspension of plenary could affect the passage of bills, oversight functions and consideration of policies requiring legislative approval. Analysts note that a breakdown in relations between the executive and legislative branches could also have implications for governance and the implementation of development programmes in the state.
Constitutional experts emphasize that while disagreements between the executive and legislature are not unusual in democratic systems, such disputes are typically resolved through dialogue, negotiation and adherence to constitutional provisions. They argue that maintaining the independence of the legislature is essential to ensuring checks and balances, accountability and effective governance.
The indefinite suspension has also sparked renewed discussions about the relationship between state assemblies and executive authorities, with civil society groups calling for transparency regarding the issues in contention and urging both sides to seek an amicable resolution in the interest of the people of Niger State.
As of the time of reporting, neither the Niger State Government nor the leadership of the Assembly had issued an official statement detailing the specific grievances behind the impasse. Residents and political stakeholders are expected to closely monitor developments in the coming days, amid hopes that dialogue between the two arms of government will restore normal legislative activities and prevent a prolonged constitutional standoff.
