Kano Assembly summons NNPP lawmaker over alleged social media insults

The Kano State House of Assembly has summoned Yusuf Bello-Aliyu, a member representing Nassarawa Constituency under the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), to appear before its Committee on Ethics over alleged utterances and insults circulated on social media.

Bello-Aliyu is expected to appear before the committee to explain the circumstances surrounding the controversial social media post.

The Speaker of the House, Jibril Ismail-Falgore, announced the decision during a plenary session following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Abdulhamid Abdul-Minjibir, the lawmaker representing Minjibir Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Moving the motion, Abdul-Minjibir said he came across a social media post in which Bello-Aliyu was allegedly seen holding the ears of a rabbit while making remarks he considered unbecoming of a lawmaker.

He said the conduct had raised concerns about the dignity and responsibilities associated with being addressed as an honourable member of the legislature.

According to him, the title of honourable member carries a responsibility that lawmakers must uphold through their conduct and public utterances.

“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,” he said.

Abdul-Minjibir added that the post had disturbed him and other lawmakers who had seen it, prompting him to bring the matter before the House for consideration.

He urged the Assembly to refer the matter to the Committee on Ethics to invite Bello-Aliyu and allow him to explain his actions, saying the process could serve as a deterrent to other lawmakers.

Also contributing to the debate, Musa Ali-Kachako, who represents Takai Constituency under the APC, said lawmakers should serve as role models for members of the public.

He called for appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with the Assembly’s rules and procedures, stressing the need to demonstrate that elected representatives were lawmakers rather than lawbreakers.

Similarly, Usman Abubakar-Tasiu, representing Kiru Constituency under the NNPP, expressed concern over the alleged abuse of social media platforms, particularly their use to insult others.

He called for measures, including legislation, to sanitise social media and address its misuse.

Following the deliberations, Speaker Ismail-Falgore referred the matter to the House Committee on Ethics and directed it to invite Bello-Aliyu to appear before it on Tuesday.

The committee is expected to examine the circumstances surrounding the post and hear the lawmaker’s explanation before determining the next course of action.