By Ibrahim Abdul’ Aziz
The sour relationship between Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state and the state legislature yesterday took another dimension with the lawmakers issuing him ultimatum over alleged shortfall in payment of salaries.
The ultimatum is coming on the heels of allegations that there was a plot by members of the House of Assembly to impeach the governor, which they denied vehemently.
During yesterday’s plenary, the lawmakers unanimously frowned upon the non-payment of salaries of August and September 2012, during the industrial action embarked by the state civil servants who had accused the government of unilaterally deducting salaries of workers.
Moving the motion at the floor, under matters of public importance, the member representing Hong constituency, Hon. Wafarniyi Theman, observed that the iniquities alleged to have been perpetrated by Adamawa state government were getting out of hand.
“It’s time for we, the legislators, to use our constitutional powers to rescue Adamawa people,” he said.
He added that they would never fold their arms to watch the government being run like a personal empire of the governor, demanding that the House should compel the governor to pay the two months’ salaries owed to the civil servants, including the moneys unilaterally deducted from their salaries.
Also contributing, the members representing Numan, Michika, Gombi and Guyuk constituencies, Hon. Kwaomoti La’ori, Mr Adamu Kamale,Jerry Kundisi as well as Mrs Wilbina Jackson, respectively, said the issue of No Work, No Pay implemented during the strike should not have arisen.
“The government is heartless; the government should be ordered to pay back the two months’ salaries, otherwise we will take the government to the people’s court,” said a member.
The Speaker, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, thereafter directed that the Commissioner for Finance as well as the Accountant- General should appear before the House today.
The lawmakers had issued a two-week ultimatum to him to pay the two months salaries and to refund the cut-at-will on or before Friday.
The state government was equally asked to settle local government workers and also to pay teachers their outstanding salaries.