On Thursday, the Zamfara State House of Assembly took the decision to eject the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Abdulmalik Gajam, after he appeared before the lawmakers to present the Ministry’s budget for 2024.
Speaker Bilyaminu Moriki instructed the Sergeant-at-Arms to escort the commissioner out of the chamber, following a motion of urgent importance raised by Bashir Aliyu, the member representing Gummi Constituency. The motion, which received unanimous approval, highlighted the commissioner’s repeated failure to respond to previous invitations from the Assembly.
Aliyu emphasized that the commissioner had been invited on three occasions but had consistently ignored the Assembly’s summonses without providing any explanation. Despite the collaborative efforts between the legislative and executive branches to enhance policies and programs for the benefit of the state’s residents, Aliyu argued that disrespectful behavior by a government appointee should not be tolerated.
Calling for support, Aliyu urged fellow members to back the motion, ensuring the commissioner’s removal from the session and barring him from the Assembly complex in the future.
Contributing to the motion, Aminu Kasuwa-Daji, the representative of Kaura Namoda South Constituency, accused the commissioner of displaying disrespect towards the Assembly and the entire state population. Kasuwa-Daji insisted that Gajam must publicly apologize for his insolence.
Faruk Dosara, the member representing Maradun I Constituency, suggested that the Assembly should revoke its confirmation of the commissioner and cease to entertain any submissions from his Ministry.
The motion received unanimous approval, leading to the Speaker’s directive to have Gajam escorted out of the Assembly’s chamber.