The Kaduna State House of Assembly has set up a seven-man committee to investigate a report on an alleged plot to impeach some principal officers and the Speaker, Hon Shehu Usman Tahir.

Even though the report appeared in several newspapers, the House, during yesterday’s plenary, singled out the Daily Trust report and set up a seven-man committee to investigate it.

The committee, which was given two weeks to submit its report, has Philemon Usman Gidan Mana, member representing Makera, as Chairman. The members include Ahmad Hassan Juma’are representing Makarfi; David Umar representing Kachia; Dr. Mato Dogara representing Lere West; Nasiru Abdullahi Maikano representing Ungwar Sanusi; Yakubu Yusufu representing Zaria Kewaye; and Barrister Kantiok Irimiya Ishaku representing Zonkwa constituency.

The motion to investigate the report was moved by Hon. Ishaku (Zonkwa) and seconded by Hon. Juma’are (Makarfi).

Speaking while contributing on the floor of the House, Hon. Umar (Kachia), after passing a vote of confidence on the leadership, said: “We must invite the journalists for questioning in order to put record straight.”

Hon. Balarabe Jigo representing Birnin Gwari supported the motion, describing the report is as mischievous and capable of disrupting the peaceful atmosphere in the Assembly. He urged the House to get to the root of the matter so as to avoid future occurrence.

“We all know that the principal officers of this Assembly are running the Assembly peacefully and we recently passed a vote of confidence on the leadership,” Jigo said.

Hon. Juma’are also aligned himself with the motion, saying that such reports affect the integrity of the House.

“What baffles me most is that these newspapers and reporters who dish out this kind of information behave as if they don’t know that there are laws and as if they don’t know that there are human rights,” he said, adding: “However, I am not surprised at this kind of information because no journalist has ever been prosecuted and that is why people report carelessly.

“This has become too much for the Assembly because this is not the first time such is happening, so if adequate measure is not taken, it may cause problem for the House and the state as a whole. The Daily Trust report is baseless. The report is meant to tarnish our image and show people that we don’t know what we are doing. The lawmakers should ensure that measure is taken against such reports and media outfits that publish such. A strong committee be set up to investigate and the media house be invited to explain their source of information so that the right step can be taken and whoever is found guilty should be made to face the wrath of the law.”

On his part, Deputy Speaker Peter Adamu representing Kagarko said declared that negative reporting of the House is not acceptable. “The House should no longer condone negative reports against it. Rumour most of the times brings about crisis and that is why journalists must learn to report positively,” Hon. Adamu stated.

Security was beefed up yesterday, not only at the Assembly, but also at the Government House. All roads leading to the Assembly and government house were blocked.

The House had passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of which was published by the media and wondered whether the Wednesday’s report is meant to destabilise the existing peace enjoyed in the state.

•Photo shows Kaduna Speaker, Hon Shehu Usman Tahir.

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