By Abdulkareem Haruna
Abdulkarim Lawan, the honorable member representing the Guzamala local government of Borno State, has broken yet another record by being elected Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly for the fourth time.
Mr. Lawan, who first assumed the position in 2011, has now become the longest-serving Assembly Speaker in Nigeria since 2011.
Despite the challenges posed by the insurgency in the state, Mr. Lawan has managed to stabilize a vibrant all-male Assembly of 28 members and strengthened the Legislature-Executive relationship. He has been described as a shrewd politician and an excellent manager of people and critical human resources, and his influence and political sagacity have been felt across the state.
In his previous tenures, Mr. Lawan made a clean record that stands to be broken for many years to come across Nigeria. His achievements have been attributed to his soft-spoken yet unassuming nature, which has made him a respected figure within the Assembly and beyond.
However, one notable challenge that Mr. Lawan has faced is the fact that he is the only State Legislator in Nigeria who has no access to his constituency, which has been effectively under the control of Boko Haram since 2016. Despite this setback, Mr. Lawan has continued to serve his people with dedication and commitment, ensuring that their voices are heard in the Assembly.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Lawan expressed his gratitude to his colleagues for re-electing him as Speaker, promising to uphold the tenets of democracy and work towards the development of Borno State. He also thanked his constituents for their unwavering support, despite the challenges they have faced.
The emergence of Abdulkarim Lawan as Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly for the fourth time is a testament to his leadership qualities and commitment to the development of the state. His achievements have set a high standard for future Speakers of the Assembly, and his legacy will undoubtedly be felt for years.
The Humanitarian Times 