10/09/2025
BAHA PLENARY
Summary of the Votes and Proceedings during the plenary at the Bauchi State House of Assembly presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar Y Suleiman today the 10th of September, 2025. The plenary started with prayers and was followed by the Roll Call thereby identifying 19 Honorable Members in attendance.
APPROVAL OF VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS
In the absence of any correction or observation to the Votes and Proceedings of Tuesday the 9th of September 2025, the Majority Leader, Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir (representing Disina Constituency) moved a Motion for the approval, he got a secondment from the Minority Leader, Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi (representing Lame Constituency) and the Speaker through acceptance of Honorable Members approved the move.
MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR
The Majority Leader, Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir informed the House that no message was received from His Excellency, the Bauchi State Governor.
PETITION(S)
The House Committee Chairman on Petition, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Itas (representing Itas/Gaɗau Constituency) told the House that there was no petition on ground.
MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE
Rt. Hon. Ahmed Abdullahi (representing Dass Constituency) present a matter which disrupt harmonious life of his people. It was about a heavy downpour which destroyed houses, farms and led to the cut of a major road linking a commercial town of Sabon Gari in Dass to other places. He further said that a construction company working on the road even vacated the site along with their working machines, he therefore urged the House to communicate to the Executive Arm of Government for prompt interventions to his constituents.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION
Rt. Hon. Jamilu Ummaru Dahiru (representing Bauchi Central Constituency, the Deputy Speaker) stood to celebrate a man who carved history in the House, he applauded the achievement of the Speaker in his career who rose from the status of a Member in Nigerian Institute of Management to that of a Fellow. He noted that the relentless services, people-centred projects and other impactful efforts of the Speaker would not be over stated. Rt. Hon. Jamilu therefore commended the Speaker for his career progress by saying that he legislates with empathy, delivers with integrity and always committed to his constituents. The Deputy Speaker finalized by extending heartfelt felicitations on behalf of himself and Honorable Members on the great achievement of the Speaker who according to him serves as the role models to many. In his response, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar Y. Suleiman thanked everyone for the commendations, messages and ardent prayers while praying for Allah to reward all abundantly.
ORDER OF THE DAY
MOTION
Rt. Hon. Jamilu Ummaru Dahiru (representing Bauchi Central Constituency) sought the permission of the House to allow him present a Motion on the Need to Address the Challenges of Overburdened Transformers and Frequent Power Outages in Our Communities. He was seconded by Hon. Sa'idu Yusuf Ahmed (representing Zungur/Galambi/Miri Constituency), then the Speaker through Members approved for the Motion to be presented.
In his presentation, Rt. Hon. Jamilu Ummaru Dahiru said the persistent and worsening problem of frequent power outages in various communities arising largely from the overburdening of transformers. He maintained that most of the transformers currently in use were installed many years ago when the population density of communities was far less than what is obtainable today. He further said with rapid urban expansion, increased housing estates and the growth of economic activities, the carrying capacity of the available transformers have been grossly exceeded. The Deputy Speaker concluded with the following prayers;
1. That this Hon. House calls on the Power Holding Company of Nigeria and it's successor companies to appear before the relevant Committee of this House to explain their level of contribution, capacity and obligations as privatised entities towards addressing the problem of overburdened transformers and frequent power shortages.
2. That the House do mandate it's Committee on Energy to explore the jurisdiction and constitutional leverage of the State Assembly in liaising with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and distribution companies to come up with feasible and enforceable modalities for mitigating transformers overload.
3. That the House do urge the State Government, in collaboration with Local Government Councils, to work with traditional rulers who are the custodians and heads of various communities, to carryout a practical census of electricity requirements. This census will serve as a basis for determining areas that urgently require additional transformers to forestall unforeseen negative consequences of prolonged power outages.
4. That this Honorable House should ensure that adequate provision is made in subsequent budget to support interventions on electricity distribution infrastructure where possible, in collaboration with federal agencies, companies and donor programs.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MOTION
The Speaker noted that the issue of electricity is all over and called for the need to resolve the reoccurring problem of overburdened and power outages. The Speaker expressed his dismay as consumers often spearhead the repair of transformers whenever there are faults, noting that such should be the work of authority concerned not people as they regularly pay at when due.
Hon. Hon Musa Wakili Nakwada (representing Ɓogoro Constituency) congratulated the Deputy Speaker for coming up with a timely and important Motion, he opined that striving for electricity to stay is like striving for security as it help in halting crimes.
Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi (representing Lame Constituency) stated that the issue of electricity needs to be a thing of the past, people usually pay for the services and are not enjoying adequate supply especially during the rainy season. He inquired to know where the actual problems of electricity emanate and urged the House to do the needful.
QUESTION PUT AND AGREED TO RESOLVE ACCORDINGLY IN THE AFFIRMATIVE
All the prayers of the Motion were accepted by the House and would communicate them to the Executive Arm of Government.
MOTION
Hon. Garba Adamu Kawu (representing Ganjuwa West Constituency) sought the House to permit him present a Motion on the Need for the Construction of Drainage and Culvert System Leading to the Cemetery in Miya Town, Ganjuwa Local Government Area. He was seconded by Hon. Dayyabu Ladan Mohammed (representing Ganjuwa East Constituency) and the Speaker through Members approved for the Motion to be presented.
While presenting the Motion, Hon. Garba Adamu Kawu said it is the matter of both public health and human dignity that he brought before the Chamber, he highlighted that the Cemetery in Miya serves as the final resting place for the departed loved ones. He frowned at the absence of a proper drainage system along the road leading to the site has subjected residents to untold hardships particularly during the rainy season. Hon. Garba Kawu maintained that flooding and stagnant water render the Cemetery almost inaccessible, causing delays for mourners and funeral processions and in some cases forcing them to take alternative and longer routes. He finalized with the following prayers;
1. Urge the Executive Arm of Government through Bauchi State Infrastructure Development & Maintenance Agency to, as a matter of urgency, commence the construction of a drainage and culvert system leading to the Cemetery in Miya Town.
2. Mandate the House Committee on Works and Transport to follow up and ensure implementation of this project.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE MOTION
Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Itas (representing Itas/Gaɗau Constituency) seconded the Motion and called it an important one which requires urgent intervention.
QUESTION PUT AND AGREED TO RESOLVE ACCORDINGLY IN THE AFFIRMATIVE
The House therefore accepted the two prayers as contained in the Motion and resolved to communicate them to the Executive Arm of Government.
(The Speaker moved down for him to present a Motion while the Deputy Speaker presided over the sitting)
MOTION
Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar Y. Suleiman (representing Ningi Central Constituency and Speaker of the House) sought the permission of the House to present a Motion Calling on the Executive Arm of Government to Take Immediate and Effective Measures to Enforce the Implementation of the Farmers and Herders Board Law in Bauchi State and to Address the Encroachment on Grazing Areas and Cattle Routes. He got a secondment from Hon. Saleh Zakariyya (representing Azare/Maɗangala Constituency) and the Speaker through Members approved for the Motion's presentation.
Presenting the Motion, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar Y. Suleiman explained that the Bauchi State Government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Distinguished Sen. Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir CON (Kauran Bauchi, Kauran Daular Usmaniyya) the Executive Governor of Bauchi State has demonstrated commitment to peace building and conflict resolution, particularly through initiatives aimed ta bridging the gap between farmers and herders. He further said that despite the efforts, challenges persist including encroachment on grazing areas and cattle routes which often lead to clashes between the two groups, the proliferation of the conflicts has become a recurring challenge in Bauchi State resulting in loss of lives, destruction of properties and displacement of communities. Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar viewed that implementation of the Farmers and Herders Board Law coupled with the protection of grazing areas and cattle routes would significantly reduce conflicts, promote peaceful coexistence and enhance agricultural productivity in Bauchi State. Therefore by adopting the Motion, he said the Bauchi State House of Assembly would be promoting peace, security and sustainable development in the State by addressing the root causes of conflict between farmers and herders, fostering harmonious coexistence and ensuring effective implementation of the Farmers and Herders Board Law. He urged the Honorable House to;
1. Appreciate the Bauchi State Government for its concerted efforts in promoting peace and unity amongst farmers and herders, acknowledging the initiatives aimed at fostering harmonious coexistence between these critical stakeholders in the State's agricultural sector.
2. Urge the Executive Arm of Government to;
a. Further strengthen these efforts by fully operationalizing the Farmers and Herders Board Law, ensuring strict enforcement of grazing reserves and cattle routes, and enhancing conflict resolution mechanism.
b. Ensure adequate funding and resource allocation for the effective functioning of the Board.
c. Direct the Local Government Area Chairmen to enforce the 7-meter road reserve in their respective LGAs to prevent encroachment on grazing areas and cattle routes.
d. Impose sanctions on any person found to be in disobedience of the law and regulations governing the grazing areas and cattle routes.
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MOTION
Hon. Bldr. Suleiman Sa'idu Darazo (representing Darazo Constituency) stood to encourage Rt. Hon. Dr. Abubakar Y. Suleiman for bringing a strong Motion noting that people in Darazo are in disarray as clashes keep occurring between farmers and herders. According to him, on a daily basis, complaints are being received regarding misunderstandings between farmers and herders, he urged the House to leverage on the Governor's effort to approve the establishment of the Board if such is sent to it.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir (representing Disina Constituency) first commended His Excellency for the speedy interventions noting that such has reduced the rate of clashes. He also commended the Speaker for coming up with the Motion which when established would ensure that clashes are permanently stopped. He then called on the relevant Committee of the House to follow-up in order to end the clashes and ensure the establishment of the board.
Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi (representing Lame Constituency) said that one of the major aspects that made clashes to escalate in Darazo was given free lands and many officials grabbed several lands.
Hon. Musa Wakili Nakwada (representing Ɓogoro Constituency) appreciated the Speaker for the excellent Motion saying the the problem of farmers and herders has been there and all should unite to resolve it amicably. He then responded to a Member that said lands were given in Darazo but similar problem occurred in Ɓogoro and no single land was given. He called on Members and the House to work toward the implementation of the Motion and finally seconded it.
Rt. Hon. Hon Babayo Muhammad (representing Hardawa Constituency) stated that the Motion was timely and commended the Speaker for his wonderful efforts to end the farmers and herders lingering clashes. He revealed that a major cause of the clashes was allowing strangers into the State, given them shelter and advised such should be checkmated.
Hon. Abdullahi Yusuf Itas (representing Itas/Gaɗau Constituency) opined that the Motion was apt as farmers are busy planting on red lines set for herders, he advised on the need to expand where animals use to pass.
Hon. Dayyabu Ladan Muhammed Gungura (representing Ganjuwa East Constituency) referred the Motion as vital which is not only aimed at reducing the clashes but ultimate end. He called that the board when established should be headed by a person with vast experiences and expertise.
Hon. Bldr. Suleiman Sa'idu Darazo (representing Darazo Constituency) said 7-meters as stated in the Motion was not the standard set from the centre of the road to sides, the standard is 15 meters away for both the Federal or State roads.
QUESTION PUT AND AGREED TO RESOLVE ACCORDINGLY IN THE AFFIRMATIVE
The House accepted all the prayers of the Motion and would communicate them to the Executive Arm of Government for the next lines of actions.
ADJOURNMENT
The Majority Leader, Hon. Saleh Hodi Jibir moved a Motion for the restoration of suspended Order five (5) and adjourning the sitting to Tuesday the 16th of September 2025, he was seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Bala Abdu Rishi and the Speaker through Members approved it.
Signed:
Mukhtar Garba Kobi
Spokesperson of the Speaker.
Department of Information and Publications, New Media Unit, Bauchi State House of Assembly.
10/9/2025
📷 Sambarka Habila , Sirajo Moli Shehu and Ibrahim Miji photos
