The Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly Abdulmalik Daji has said he and his colleagues in the House are not moved by the several derogatory tags they have been labelled by social media critics.
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Daji, who was making a veiled reference to the appellation of “Bago’s rubber stamp” which the House members are being called urged Niger State residents to continue to call them rubber stamp, saying that they have since blocked their ears to such tags.
The Speaker, while reacting to issues as such, among several othes during the presentation of the 2026 budget appropriation bill presented by the Niger State governor Mohammed Bago, said the House would have immediately passed it without the due diligence of screening.
However, he assured the governor that the House would look at the bill and pass it into law in less than a week, stressing that he would not be distracted by social media antics
Daji pointed out that the legislature would continue to give the governor her unalloyed support for his programmes and policies, which he said strengthens and deepens democracy.
“For those who wish to call us rubber stamps, continue to do so, our ears are blocked.
“As we receive this budget today, it is our desire to pass this budget here and now before your presence, but unfortunately, we’ll be deterred because of the prevalent tradition and ethics of this House.
“But that not withstanding we want to assure you that in less than a week, we’ll do the screening proper and we’ll have this budget passed and we will come before you to formally present it to you.
“Your Excellency this House pledges it continued cooperation and support. We will continue to work with you to deepen governance, strengthen institution, and fast-track development.
“Not even the state social media castigation or the antics of political detractors will shake the foundation of this partnership,” he said.
The Speaker, meanwhile, also commiserated with families of the abducted pupil, students and teachers of St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools Papiri, Agwara Local Government and prayed for the safe return of the remaining abductees.
“Before proceeding, allow me to convey the heartfelt sympathy of this honourable House over the tragic abduction of our innocent pupils and students and devoted teachers of St Mary’s Catholic Primary school in Papiri Agwarra Local Government Area.
“This painful incident has left our hearts heavy, and we stand with you in this moment of deep concern for the families affected and for the entire educational community,” Daji said.
Recalls that Gov. Bago presented N1.3 trillion appropriation bill for the 2026 fiscal year to the Niger State House of Assembly tagged “Budget of Consolidation,”
Bago disclosed that over N270 billion, representing 26.19 per cent has been earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while N761 billion, accounting for 73.81 per cent is allocated to capital expenditure.
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