By OBSERVERS TIMES.
The Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, has issued a stern warning to political officeholders and individuals against disregarding the authority of the Assembly, affirming that the 8th Assembly will not tolerate any form of ridicule or disrespect towards the legislature as an institution.
The Speaker made the remarks on Wednesday while responding to questions from the Assembly correspondent after the Coordinator of the Kogi State Social Investment Programme Agency (KOSSIPA), Hajiya Aishat Oyiza Omade, finally appeared before the House following months of evasion.
Speaker Aliyu emphasized that under his leadership, the Assembly remains resolute in protecting the dignity and authority of the legislative arm of government without fear or favor. He noted that the current Assembly, comprising eight members, is committed to upholding the rule of law.
“She was not initially qualified to appear before all members unless it was a serious issue,” Aliyu said. “Reports from the relevant committee indicated her repeated absence despite multiple invitations. The Assembly had to intervene to compel her appearance in order to support the committee’s oversight functions.”
The Speaker elaborated that the objective of the Assembly’s recent pronouncement was to assert that any public officer in Kogi State can be summoned to answer questions. “She has now appeared and has been duly admonished to operate within the law,” he added.
Aliyu further cautioned other political officeholders to respect legal procedures. “Rules govern every position, and they must be obeyed. We did not give her undue attention, but out of magnanimity, the House referred her back to the committee she had ignored.”
He stressed, “She cannot be bigger than the committee. There is no record of any petition or infraction against her before now. The issue was solely her failure to honor committee invitations. This action serves as a clear message that no one is above the Kogi State House of Assembly.”
The Speaker underscored the committee’s statutory responsibility to conduct oversight and promote good governance in the state. He dismissed rumors that the House had been compromised to target the KOSSIPA Coordinator.
“Nothing has been exchanged,” he declared. “If we were not serious, we would not have brought this to plenary for discussion. We are not rubber stamps. If necessary, we will even summon the Governor for explanations.”
He also recalled his earlier warning on Tuesday that a bench warrant of arrest would be issued against Omade if she failed to appear before the House on May 7, 2025.
Omade was summoned by the House ad-hoc standing committee on Special Duties, Legislative Compliance, Government House Administration, and the Governor’s Office, chaired by the Majority Leader, Hon. Suleiman Abdulrazak, representing Okene 1.
