Niger Assembly Confirms Commissioner Nominee After Suspension of Screening
By Yahaya Zakka, Minna
The Niger State House of Assembly has officially confirmed the appointment of Barrister Ahmed Bello Agwara as commissioner, following the earlier suspension of his screening amid allegations that he unlawfully possessed confidential legislative documents.
The Assembly had temporarily halted the nomination process on Tuesday after a motion by Abubakar Ustaz, representing Chanchaga constituency and serving as the House’s Chief Whip, raised concerns.
Ustaz claimed that the nominee, a former four-term legislator from Agwara Local Government Area, had used privileged Assembly documents to support a lawsuit that resulted in the court issuing a garnishee order against the House’s accounts. This raised questions about his suitability to handle sensitive state information.
Agwara, who served in the Assembly for 16 years under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in May 2025, was among 30 nominees forwarded by Governor Umaru Bago for confirmation.
The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, stated that the nominees were selected based on their integrity, competence, and dedication to the state’s development.
During Wednesday’s plenary, the House resumed the confirmation process. Mohammad Idris (APC–Tafa) explained that the earlier suspension was not personal but aimed at fulfilling constitutional responsibilities and ensuring the issues raised did not harm the state.
He emphasized that the House reviewed the documents and interrogated the nominee in an executive session, confirming that the process was thorough and conducted in the public’s interest.
Idris described Agwara as a respected senior colleague who approached the process humbly and provided all necessary information. Following the review, he moved for Agwara’s confirmation.
Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkin-Daji announced that a motion to confirm the nominee was pending and proceeded to allow Agwara to “take a bow and go.” The motion was seconded by Hon. Mohammed Garba, representing Agwara constituency, and was unanimously adopted.
In his remarks after confirmation, Mohammed Bello Agwara expressed gratitude to Governor Bago for his nomination and thanked the Assembly for its reconsideration.
He described the House as “his political home” and acknowledged that the suspension was a misunderstanding. Agwara pledged to support the Bago-led administration fully and committed to serving the state diligently.
