Bauchi Assembly Passes Vote Of No Confidence On Education Commissioner

BY ADEYEMI AKANJI, BAUCHI – The cold war between the Bauchi State House of Assembly and the Executive arm following a disagreement with one of the Commissioners took a different dimension on Monday as the legislators passed a vote of no confidence on the Commissioner for Education and withdrew its confirmation of Dr Aliyu Usman Tilde as Commissioner.

The decision of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved by the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Mohammed Babayo Akuyam during an emergency plenary held on Monday on the matter.

Akuyam, who moved the motion under matters of urgent attention, described the attitude of the Commissioner of Education to the 9th Assembly as unfortunate and disrespectful to the House.

He explained that the House Committee had served the Ministry with the scheduled date for Budget defence since November 24, 2021, to appear before the Committee on December 2, 2021, for its budget proposal.

He further said; “Despite the fact that the Commissioner came over one hour late to attend the budget defence which did not go down well with the committee, he began to ask who we are?

“Legislative arm belongs to the three arms of Government, the executives, legislature and the judiciary. So, for him to ask us who we are, is an insult to the 9th Assembly,” he said.

Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Danlami Kawule in his remarks said that it was unfortunate that the Commissioner chose not to cooperate with the House in the 2022 budget defence process.

Speaking in turn, Hon. Yunusa Ahmed described the Commissioner’s conduct as unbecoming, adding that it speaks volumes of the fact that he runs the Ministry alone.

Ahmed said; “I believe the citizens would celebrate if we pass a vote of no confidence on the commissioner for Education”.

The Speaker, Hon. Abubakar Suleiman while ruling on the matter, noted that the Commissioner’s behavior to the Committee was unfortunate and not acceptable, adding that the House unanimously agreed that a vote of no confidence should be passed on the commissioner as well as withdrawal of the confirmation earlier given by the House after he was nominated by the Governor.

Suleiman said; “The House also assures the good people of Bauchi state that nothing would stop the budget defence process of the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary would continue with the defence process”.

Meanwhile, the Adviser on Assembly Liaison to the Governor, Sani Bura, said that the House has done its part and it is the prerogative of the Governor to take a decision.

Bura assured that he will relate what transpired to the Governor who will then decide on what the next line of action on the issue will be.

The House Committee on Education on Friday last week walked out the Dr Aliyu Usman Tilde from the budget defence proceedings for what it described as disrespect to the Assembly.