Why I Accepted Kano Deputy Speakership- Alhassan Rurum

The new deputy Speaker ,Kano State House of Assembly Kabir  Alhassan Rurum says the recent uproar at the assembly was in the best interest of the electorate as allegations leveled against the Speaker was to ensure good democratic governance that will meet aspiration of the people.

Alhaji  Kabir  Alhassan Rurum said with the crisis that led to the changes of the principal officers is geared towards improved legislative duties which formed parts of the conditions to the peaceful resolution of the tsunami that almost consumed the Speaker Yusuf Abdullahi Atta in a foiled impeachment attempt.

The deputy Speaker stated this in an exclusive interview with Solacebase in Kano on Monday.

He said his acceptance of the deputy Speaker position despite being the immediate past Speaker after he resigned the position about a year ago was borne out of pressure by those who mediated into the crisis in the assembly during the move to impeach Yusuf Abdullahi Atta, including the state governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, party leaders and some other eminent people in the state. The governor chaired the meditating committee that addressed the crisis in the house.

Solacebase recalled that the state house of assembly was barricaded by security personnel   two Mondays during a crisis in the house with an attempt to impeach the Speaker. Later the Speaker announced the closure of the assembly till after the Eid el fitr which a group of lawmakers aggrieved and planning the impeachment of the Speaker vowed to reconvened.

“Honestly I was prevailed upon to accept the position of the deputy speaker as a panacea to the crisis. As part of condition to end the crisis, the mediators including the governor decided that the leadership of the house be dissolved and asked the Speaker’s group to concede the position of deputy speaker, Chief Whip and Deputy Majority Leader to our group and insisted that I become the deputy Speaker despite my nomination of a member  of our group to be the deputy speaker, said Kabir  Alhassan Rurum.

“Also incidentally my nomination and appointment as the Deputy Speaker exonerated accusation against me a year ago that led to my resignation as a Speaker exactly a year ago. When I was accused of collecting bribe last year from the President of the Dangote Group , Alhaji Aliko Dangote on an issue before the house; as a democrat I did not want to be a judge in my case hence I had to step aside for investigation as a committee was set up to probe the situation. Subsequently the Alhaji Aliko Dangote vehemently denied giving me anything and the committee thereafter exonerated me, though they are yet to make their findings known to the public . Surprisingly some of those that champion allegation of bribe collection against me were even those at the fore front of returning me to the exalted position.”

Kabir Alhassan Rurum said “ I don’t believe in securing a position or appointment in politics but service to humanity with a political philosophy of entrenchment of the rule of law , good governance and protection of the down trodden. I was a Councilor, a Supervisory Councilor, Council Chairman, Speaker and Deputy Speaker.

When asked on the difference their agitation and resolution of the crisis will create in the Assembly, Kabir   Alhassan  Rurum said the challenge of ensuring that allegations his group leveled against the Speaker  are addressed lies with all of us presently.

He explained that their oversight function would be improved upon and issue of lateness in plenary session would be address.

While speaking on Democracy day, the Deputy Speaker of Kano Assembly said though there are still much to be done but there is democratic growth and dividence of democracy.

“Taking a look at the three years of President Buhari administration, one can see that there is serious commitment in the fight against corruption, safety net intervention program to eradicate poverty, agriculture intervention funds all at the federal level while in Kano, continuation of previous administration project by Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje led administration, strengthen of the state anti-graft agency and various empowerment scheme, “said Rurum