Constituents Initiates Process To Recall Zamfara Rep Suspended By APC

Residents in Zamfara state’s Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji have started organizing to recall Sani Jaji, a house of reps member who has been suspended from the All Progressive Congress (APC).

APC in Zamfara dismissed Jaji on May 17 in response to claims that he engaged in “anti-party activities” during the 2023 elections.

The lawmaker represents Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji federal constituency in the house of representatives.

He is the head of the House Ecological Fund Committee.

The Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency Coalition for Sustainable Democracy, a civil society organization (CSO), stated in a statement on Saturday that the recall effort for Jaji complies with the revised section 69 of the 1999 Constitution.

Bello Mahmud, the head of the Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji Federal Constituency Coalition for Sustainable Democracy, signed the statement.

“A member of the senate or house of representatives may be recalled if a petition signed by more than half of registered voters is presented to the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) alleging loss of confidence,” according to Mahmud’s interpretation of the constitution.

“The petition is thereafter, in a referendum conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission within ninety days of the date of receipt of the petition, approved by a simple majority of the votes of the persons registered to vote in that member’s constituency,” he said.

“Our two local government areas are among the areas mostly affected by frequent attacks by armed bandits, many people have been killed, kidnapped for ransom, cattle rustled, and houses and property worth millions of naira burnt down,” the chairman said.

“Many people are internally displaced from their communities in Kaura Namoda LGA Sakajiki, Kasuwar Daji, Rututu, Kurya Madaro, Dogon Kade, Kungurki, Sabon Garin, Kiyawa, Danisa, and Birnin Magaji.”

He said other communities and towns affected by banditry include Gora, Chigama, Shamushalle, Billashe, Modomawa, Nasarawa Mailayi, Sabon Birnin Danalli, and Birnin Magaji.

“The constituents note with dismay the performance of the lawmaker in the federal house of representatives is below expectation,” Mahmud added.

“He failed woefully in providing good representation to the good people of the constituency.

“Jaji lacks the political sagacity and tenacity of purpose required of a lawmaker representing a state under bandits’ siege.

“We call on all lovers of democracy, good governance, security, and effective representation in the national assembly to come out en masse and endorse the recall of Hon. Aminu Jaji from the house of representatives.

“We made a mistake by electing Hon. Jaji, who uses our mandate to work against his constituency.” [CONTINUE READING HERE]