In a decisive move underscoring the authority of legislative bodies, the Kwara State House of Assembly has suspended Honourable Yisa Gideon, representing the Edu constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), for a period of three months. The suspension, levied on Thursday, December 18, 2025, in Ilorin, stems from an undisclosed act the House deemed contemptuous, highlighting the often-opaque nature of internal parliamentary discipline.
The Official Announcement and Legal Basis
Speaker Yakubu Danladi-Salihu announced the immediate suspension during the day’s proceedings. He anchored the action firmly in statutory law, specifically citing Section 14, Sub-section 2 of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act of 2017. This federal law grants state Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly sweeping powers to punish acts considered contemptuous or breaches of parliamentary privilege, which can include anything from public criticism deemed damaging to the institution’s dignity to disobedience of its orders or disruptions within the chamber. The speaker further directed Gideon to formally apologize to the House in writing during his suspension period.
The Process: Fair Hearing and Unanswered Questions
The House Leader, Abdukadir Mogaji, who presented the motion for suspension without notice, stated that the embattled lawmaker was accorded fair hearing. According to Mogaji, Gideon appeared before an ad-hoc investigative panel set up by the House, where he reportedly admitted to the infraction. This detail is crucial, as it suggests the process followed an internal disciplinary protocol rather than being a purely arbitrary decision.
However, the deliberate non-disclosure of the contempt’s specific nature raises significant questions about transparency and accountability. While protecting the dignity of the House is a cited reason for such secrecy, it leaves the public and constituents of Edu in the dark. Was the contempt a verbal outburst, a breach of confidential procedure, or an act of public defiance? This lack of detail fuels speculation and limits public assessment of whether the punishment fits the alleged offence.
Context and Implications of the Suspension
A three-month suspension is a severe parliamentary sanction. It effectively silences the representative’s voice in the chamber, denies his constituents active participation in lawmaking and oversight for that period, and may involve a loss of certain privileges and allowances. This action serves as a stark reminder to all legislators of the boundaries of conduct within the legislature.
Such episodes are not uncommon in Nigerian legislative politics. They often reflect deeper undercurrents of political rivalry, party discipline, or personal conflicts within the assembly. The use of contempt powers can sometimes be a tool to enforce loyalty or quell dissent. Without knowing the specifics of Gideon’s alleged act, it is challenging to determine if this is a straightforward case of enforcing decorum or a more politically motivated maneuver.
Looking Forward: Apology and Reintegration
The directive for a written apology indicates a path to reinstatement. The House’s acceptance of this apology will likely be the key condition for Gideon’s return to his legislative duties after the three-month period. This incident will undoubtedly shape his relationship with the House leadership and his colleagues moving forward.
In conclusion, while the Kwara Assembly has exercised its legal right to discipline a member, the opaque handling of the contempt charge underscores a recurring tension between legislative privilege and public accountability. The suspension of Hon. Yisa Gideon is as much about the alleged act as it is about the immense, and sometimes ambiguous, power wielded by legislative institutions to govern their own affairs. (Based on a report by Bushrah Yusuf-Badmus for NAN)
BAY/AOS
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