Kano Assembly suspends lawmaker over post allegedly mocking governor

The Kano State House of Assembly has suspended the lawmaker representing Nassarawa Constituency, Yusuf Bello-Aliyu, for three months over alleged misconduct involving a social media post deemed to have mocked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

The suspension followed the adoption of a report by the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges during Wednesday’s plenary session.

Bello-Aliyu, who also serves as the Minority Whip of the Assembly, was accused of making an inappropriate social media post in which he allegedly held the ears of a rabbit, an act interpreted as referring to Governor Yusuf.

The matter was first raised on Monday by the member representing Minjibir Constituency, Abdulhamid Abdul-Minjibir, as a Matter of Urgent Public Importance.

Presenting the committee’s report at Wednesday’s plenary, its chairman, Shehu Garba-Fammar, recommended that Bello-Aliyu be suspended from participating in all activities of the House for three months, effective October 21, 2026.

The committee also recommended that the suspended lawmaker submit a written letter of apology to the Assembly and formally read it before the House upon his resumption.

In addition, the committee urged the Assembly to consider initiating legislation to regulate social media, with the stated aim of protecting the rights and dignity of Kano State residents.

The recommendations were subsequently adopted by the House, presided over by the Speaker, Jibril Ismail-Falgore.

The suspension bars Bello-Aliyu from participating in the Assembly’s activities for the stipulated period, while the requirement to submit and read an apology forms part of the committee’s recommendations adopted by the lawmakers.