The Kwara State House of Assembly has suspended Hon. Saba Gideon Yisa, representing Edu Local Government Area, following allegations that he leaked a sensitive audio recording to Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) figure reportedly nursing governorship ambitions.

While the Assembly officially cited “unparliamentary conduct” as the reason for the suspension, multiple sources within the House told SaharaReporters that the move was politically motivated, reflecting deepening internal power struggles ahead of the 2027 elections.

The controversy reportedly arose after Hon. Owolabi Rasaq (Share/Oke-Ode constituency) accused Gideon on the House floor of sharing legislative deliberations with Seriki. The leaked information allegedly pertained to a proposed motion to revoke Seriki’s mining licences in Kwara State, sparking intense lobbying and divisions within the Assembly.

Despite Rasaq admitting he did not know the actual source of the leak, lawmakers aligned with the House leadership pressed for Gideon’s sanction, citing his close ties with Seriki.

An audio recording obtained by SaharaReporters captures Speaker Salihu Yakubu Danladi warning Gideon to “play soft” and criticizing him for talking too much. Although the Speaker denies directly soliciting support for his alleged governorship ambition, the recording references party control, political structures, and loyalty. In part, the Speaker is heard saying:

“Gideon, I have never discussed my governorship ambition with you, not even for a day. I told you that those around me, none of them is contesting for the House, and I will not go against any of my colleagues… When the time reaches, everything will sort itself out.”

The Assembly had earlier suspended Gideon for three months over alleged contempt of the House and breach of legislative privilege. Reports indicate that Gideon secretly recorded a closed-door Assembly meeting and shared the audio with an unauthorized individual.

During plenary last Thursday, the motion for suspension was moved without prior notice by the Leader of the House, Abdulkadir Magaji, citing Order 4, Rule 14 of the House Rules on Privileges and Section 14(2) of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, 2017.

Magaji stated:
“Hon. Saba did something that can put this honourable House in jeopardy by sending sensitive information about its activities to the public.”

Several lawmakers, including Hon. Ganiyu Salaudeen (Omupo), Musa Kareem (Patigi), and Owolabi Rasaq, participated in the debate, condemning the act. The Speaker emphasized that the unauthorized recording and circulation risked bringing the legislature into disrepute and directed Gideon to submit a written apology during the suspension period.