Abubakar Suleiman Ningi and Kawuwa Shehu Damina have emerged as Speakers of the Bauchi State House of Assembly through parallel elections.
The elections were held separately by 11 members loyal to Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed who elected Abubakar Suleiman Ningi as Speaker.
20 members loyal to the former governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar also elected Kawuwa Shehu Damina as Speaker at a separate inauguration.
Bauchi State House of Assembly has 31 members. The APC holds the majority with 22 members, PDP has eight while NNPP has one member.
The 11 who elected Ningi as Speaker include eight PDP members, the lone NNPP member and another APC member.
Ningi was nominated by Babayo Muhammad representing Hardawa constituency and Jamilu Umar Dahiru, the only NNPP member who is representing Bauchi Central Constituency.
His nomination was seconded by Bakoji Aliyu Bobo, member representing Chiroma constituency.
Ahmed Kawule, the member representing Zungur /Galambi constituency was elected as Deputy Speaker to Ningi.
Meanwhile, the Damina faction backed by the former governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar held their inauguration at the Assembly premises at 11:15 am which was presided over by the member representing Warji constituency, Yunusa Ahmed.
Ahmed nominated Damina and was seconded by the member representing Ganjuwa West constituency, Yusuf Inuwa Dadiye.
Ahmed Tukur Ibrahim was elected as Deputy Speaker by the Damina led faction.
There had been an intense power struggle between Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed and the immediate past governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar on the choice of the Speaker of Bauchi State 9th House of Assembly.
While the former governor and the APC leadership endorsed Damina, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed prefers Abubakar Suleiman Ningi.
Governor Abubakar and the Bauchi APC leadership reportedly had a meeting with the APC House members in Kano prior to the postponement of the inauguration where they endorsed Damina as their candidate.
Join Daily Trust WhatsApp Community For Quick Access To News and Happenings Around You.
