Kano assembly summons lawmaker over ‘rabbit talk’ on social media

The Kano State House of Assembly has summoned lawmaker Yusuf Bello-Aliyu (NNPP-Nassarawa) over alleged remarks and insults. Mr Bello-Aliyu is to appear before the House Committee on Ethics on Tuesday.

The speaker, Jibril Ismail-Falgore, announced the decision during Monday’s plenary session, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by the member representing Minjibir Constituency (APC-Minjibir), Abdulhamid Abdul-Minjibir.

Mr Abdul-Minjibir said he saw a post by the lawmaker on social media holding the ears of a rabbit and making utterances unbecoming of a lawmaker.

“The matter I want to present is on a post I saw on social media by my colleague from Nassarawa local government holding the ears of a rabbit and making utterances unbecoming of an honourable member.

“The title ‘honourable’ is a distinctive title that should be respected. We should carry it with dignity and act accordingly by doing good things that will give us a good name. Every member who has seen that post will be very disturbed.

“I was so disturbed by the post, and I felt I should bring it to the notice of the House so that the matter can be referred to the Committee on Ethics to invite the member to explain the circumstances and why he acted in that manner to serve as a deterrent to others,” Mr Abdul-Minjibir said.

Musa Ali-Kachako (APC-Takai) said lawmakers should be exemplary role models. He called on the house to take disciplinary action, as enshrined in the assembly’s procedure, so people know that “they are lawmakers and not lawbreakers”.

Usman Abubakar-Tasiu (NNPP-Kiru) expressed displeasure over how social media is being abused and used to insult others, stressing the need for a law to sanitise social media. The speaker, however, referred the matter to the House Committee on Ethics to invite the affected lawmaker to appear before it on Tuesday.

(NAN)