The Kogi Assembly majority leader, Murktar Bajeh (APC-Okehi), has resigned in protest of the terrorist tag thrown at him and eight other colleagues.

Governor Yahaya Bello of the state had, on March 23, branded nine of the 25 assembly members as terrorists for their alleged roles during the March 18 House of Assembly elections held in the state.

Mr Bello, had in the letter to the speaker, Matthew Kolawale, requested the suspension of the nine lawmakers, including the majority leader, and investigate their roles during the assembly election.

But Mr Bajeh, in a letter to the house, informed them of his resolve to step down from the majority leader’s position following his disposition with the actions of the governor and the house.

“I hereby wish to inform this House that I am no more interested in being your leader but have resigned forthwith,” the letter read.

The speaker, who read Mr Bajeh’s letter at plenary, asked for comments.

At that point, a motion was moved by the deputy speaker, Alfa Momoh-Rabiu, to nominate a substitute in the person of the chief whip, Ahmed Dahiru, to replace Mr Bajeh.

The speaker quickly asked members about the nomination of the chief whip to fill the vacant position, and the members unanimously accepted Mr Dahiru as their new majority leader owing to his capacity and ability to do the job.

However, the speaker said, “The house, having accepted the choice of Hon. Ahmed Dahiru, member representing Okene II, to fill in the gap left by Hon. Muktar Bajeh, we hereby declare him (Dahiru) our new Majority Leader from today”.

(NAN)