The newly elected Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Babayo Mohammed Akuyam, has promised to step down for his predecessor, Abubakar Suleiman, who was removed from office after the Court of Appeal ordered a rerun in his constituency.
DAILY POST reports that the court had nullified Suleiman’s victory and mandated a rerun in 10 polling units.
Suleiman’s Deputy, Jamilu Barade, was also not spared by the appellate court as it ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct fresh elections in nine polling units of Bauchi Central.
The political challenges faced by Suleiman and Jamilu resulted in a leadership vacuum within the Assembly, leading to the rise of the recently elected Speaker.
However, the new Speaker, Babayo, has stated that he would step down if Suleiman returns after the rerun.
Speaking in an interview with journalists on Tuesday at the Assembly complex, he said: “As a gentleman, I will honourably resign. That is the promise of the entire lawmakers. We all agreed that if he is back, honourably, myself I know I will step down for him.
” I will honorably resign and give him a chance because I’m a gentleman and honorable, so no problem. Anytime, God willing and allows him to return after the rerun, no problem.”
According to him, he would not breach the agreement he had with his colleagues, considering his age and position in the state.
