By Lola SERIKI- IDAHOSA, Kaduna
Members of Kaduna State House of Assembly have split over Governor Nasir el- Rufai’s car gift and have covertly expressed anger over cars given by the Kaduna state government to heads of committees of the Assembly.
A source close to one of the Assembly members informed a group of journalists that while some members appeared to be comfortable with the development, others are worried that it will create division in the House.
“It is suspicious to give cars to committee heads and abandon the principal officers of the House. We believe it is an attempt to influence them to do the bidding of the executive arm of government.
“Already some of the members are angry over this disturbing development. This divides and rule system will make it difficult for members to fight for the voters and other citizens of the state that gave them the mandate to make laws for them”, the source said.
When contacted to react on the allegation, House Committee Chairman on Information, Honourable Nuhu Machu Goro Shadalafiya, confirmed it is true that committee heads were given cars, but said, “it is the normal practice.”
“We have 34 committees in the House of Assembly and we have 34 members, so, I don’t think it is true that some members are angry. But
it is true that our principal officers are yet to get theirs.
“When you say the state government gave us cars , it is not to influence us to help them , but to help us to do our work effectively.
Before the cars were given, it was difficult for us to perform our oversight function”, Shaddalafiya stated.
According to the member representing Kagarko Constituency in the House, the cars are not for individuals, but the committees and if at the expiration of their tenure, they are usually auctioned to interested members.
He however, cited this example,”If you work for an organization, do you use your personal cars, the answer is no and that is what exactly happened here. The cars are given to facilitate committee work.”
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