Bauchi State House of Assembly during its Monday plenary withdrew its earlier confirmation of the Commissioner of Education, Dr. Aliyu Tilde, over alleged disrespect of the lawmakers during the budget defence.
The lawmakers had on December 3 ordered the Commissioner out of the defence hearing for keeping them waiting for one hour after the scheduled 10:00 am, according to Babayo Muhammad.
Babayo said that the commissioner was scheduled to appear at 10:00 am last Friday while the lawmakers were already on seats waiting before he surfaced an hour later.
He said that Tilde was entertained and the lawmakers “were trying to explain ourselves to him, he interfered and enquired who we are?.
“We told him we are members of the legislature and another arm of government, he still kept asking who we are. Therefore, we asked him to go when he realised that we are somebody, he should come back for the defense. We have only 8 days from today to end the budget defence proceedings.”
The House, however, deliberated on the conduct of the commissioner and subsequently felt insulted. It said that it has the constitutional power to confirm and or to withdraw its confirmation of any government appointee.
After several debates, the House unanimously passed a vote of no confidence on the commissioner and directed the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry to continue with the budget defense.
The Assembly, however, withdrew the confirmation of Tilde as Commissioner that it issued on 17th August 2021.
The Speaker, Abubakar Suleiman, who presided over the plenary, clarified that the House has the power to withdraw any confirmation it has granted.
Also, Majority Leader Tijjani Muhammad Aliyu added that it is the constitutional right of any state of assembly to confirm any commissioner, to reject or withdraw the confirmation.
Meanwhile, Tilde told The Guardian in a text message that he would not comment until after 10:00 am tomorrow.
“No comment. Until tomorrow after 10:00 am,” Tilde said.
