Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji

Speaker of the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji, has sparked controversy after gifting ₦7 million in cash to his personal assistant, Ibrahim Awwal, who lost a councillorship bid in Mariga Local Government Area.

In a widely circulated video, the Speaker handed the money to Ibrahim, who kneeled before him, stating that the amount exceeded the total salary of a councillor for three years and should be enough for him to move on.

The gesture has drawn criticism, with many accusing the Speaker of setting a bad precedent and raising concerns about the source of the funds. Some critics argue that such public cash gifts undermine transparency in governance.

Additionally, the Speaker reportedly compensated 12 APC aspirants for the Mariga local government chairmanship race with ₦500,000 each, rewarding them for stepping down during the party’s consensus meeting.

While some see the move as fostering party unity, others believe it promotes political loyalty over competence. A civil rights activist, Halima Mohammed, warned that it sends the wrong message, reinforcing politics as a means of personal gain rather than public service.

Amid growing concerns, the Speaker’s Media Consultant, John Adams, defended the gesture, dismissing criticisms as stemming from a “poverty mentality.” He insisted that the money was the Speaker’s personal funds and not public money, framing the act as an empowerment initiative.