Bauchi PDP suspends lawmaker over ‘insubordination’
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has suspended Hon. Habibu Umar, the lawmaker representing Kirfi Constituency in the State House of Assembly, over alleged insubordination. The suspension was communicated in a letter signed by the PDP State Chairman, Samaila Burga, and addressed to the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly. According […]
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State has suspended Hon. Habibu Umar, the lawmaker representing Kirfi Constituency in the State House of Assembly, over alleged insubordination.
The suspension was communicated in a letter signed by the PDP State Chairman, Samaila Burga, and addressed to the Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly. According to the letter, Umar was found guilty of insubordination following an investigation conducted in line with the party’s constitution.
The chairman stated that the lawmaker was issued a query on November 5 over alleged violations of sections 58 (9)(1) and (f) of the PDP Constitution (2017 as amended). The allegations were based on a report submitted by the executive committee of his ward in Beni, which accused Umar of actions deemed contrary to party rules.
After receiving the report, the party constituted a disciplinary committee on November 11 to investigate the matter. Burga explained that the committee’s investigation found Umar guilty, and it recommended his indefinite suspension in compliance with sections 59 (4) and (5) of the party’s constitution.
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“In view of the above, with effect from today, November 25, 2024, he is prohibited from participating in any party activity pending further developments,” Burga stated in the letter.
Lawmaker alleges lack of fair hearing
Reacting to the suspension in a phone interview, Hon. Habibu Umar, criticised the party’s decision, alleging a lack of due process and fair hearing.
“I am still consulting with stakeholders on my next course of action because there was no fair hearing before the decision. They issued a query letter to me, and I responded. Subsequently, they set up a committee, but I was never invited to present my side of the story,” Umar said.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the disciplinary process, stating that, “Under normal circumstances, if there is a complaint against someone, fairness demands that you hear from them before making a decision. Unfortunately, that was not done in this case.”