Sacked Kaduna Speaker, Liman re-elected

Following his electoral victory at Saturday’s by-election in the state, the sacked Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Yusuf Liman, has been re-elected as Speaker of the state assembly.

At Saturday’s re-run election, Liman of the All Progressives Congress scored 18,068 votes to defeat Solomon Katuka of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 17,404 votes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission in Kaduna went ahead on Wednesday to present Certificates of Return to the former Speaker and those who emerged winners at Saturday’s re-run polls and by-election in the state.

Other lawmakers who received their Certificates of Return were Haruna Barnabas (APC, Chawai State Constituency), Jesse Tanko (APC, Chikun State Constituency), and Nura Likoro (PDP, Kudan State Constituency).

Meanwhile, shortly after the swearing-in, the former Speaker was subsequently nominated and unanimously elected as the new speaker of the State House of Assembly.

The election took place during a plenary session where Liman, alongside three other members who triumphed in the recent Saturday by-election, were sworn in.

While addressing his colleagues, Liman appreciated them for the trust and support accorded by the lawmakers.

The new Speaker also pledged to collaborate with the executive arm of government for the growth and development of democracy and the state.

“Let us reaffirm our dedication to democracy, justice, and progress. Let us remember the power bestowed upon us by the people of Kaduna comes with a profound responsibility to uphold their interests and aspirations at all times,” he said.

Liman, who served as the speaker and represented the Makera constituency in the state assembly, returned to his previous position in the House after his election was nullified by the appeal court in Abuja in November 2023.

The court’s decision led to a mandated rerun in five polling units within the Makera constituency.