The Kaduna State House of Assembly has recalled former deputy speaker Muktar Isa-Hazo after a one-year suspension.

Mr Isa-Hazo represents the Basawa constituency. He and three other members had been on suspension for over a year.

The decision followed a motion moved by Ahmad Muhammad, a member representing the Zaria Kewaye constituency, during a plenary on Wednesday in Kaduna.

“I stand before you to refresh your memory that sometime in April last year, I raised a motion on the suspension of four members of the assembly, namely Alhaji Mukhtar Isa Hazo, former deputy speaker, Salisu Isa, member representing Magajin Gari constituency, Alhaji Yusuf Liman of Makera/Kakuri and Mr Nuhu Goroh Shadalafiya, representing Kagarko constituency,” said Mr Muhammad.

Making a case for their recall, the legislator added, “I am here today, to plead with the honourable speaker and the honourable members of the house on behalf of one of them, Alhaji Mukhtar Isa-Hazo of Basawa constituency, who has been pleading publicly more than once and on several occasions.”

Mr Muhammad pointed out that this would serve as an example to the other three members, publicly ask for forgiveness to earn a recall.

In response, the speaker, Yusuf Zailani, directed the clerk of the parliament to communicate the decision to Mr Isa-Hazo, to return and continue his legislative work.

“The God we all serve is a forgiving one, and if someone hurts you and you forgive, then the almighty will forgive your own sin too,” Mr Zailani reasoned. “It is a very wonderful day for me today as one of my friends moved a motion to recall my other friends back to the house, and no matter what happens, Hazo is my friend and will continue to be.”

Mr Isa-Hazo and the three other members were on August 11, 2020, suspended for causing fracas during a legislative session. The assembly extended their nine-month suspension, which ended in April 2021, because they failed to apologise to the parliament.

One of those involved in the altercation was the former speaker of the assembly, Aminu Abdullahi-Shagali, whose seat was declared vacant in a by-election conducted by INEC for Sabongari constituency, which he represented.