From Ron Jacob, Jos.
After failed attempts to remove him in the past, Hon. Peter Azi, has become a floor member of the Plateau House of Assembly, losing his plum job as Speaker.
He has been replaced by a fellow lawmaker and Chief Whip, Joshua Izang Madaki.
It is not exactly clear the political undercurrents of Madaki’s removal, but a source said he hoped the main target of the House’s moves is not Governor Simon Lalong.
Hon Daniel Nanlong was also elected as Majority Leader.
Removed along with Azi representing Jos North West state constituency is Majority leader, Henry Yenkwap representing Shendam constituency.
It was a unanimous decision by 20 out of the 24 members of the House.
Everyday.ng gathered that the moves to impeach the duo was aborted two weeks ago by some members of the House who pleaded with other members to hold because the state was in a state of mourning over the recent killings of over 200 people in some parts of the state.
A member of the House who craved anonymity revealed that the members of the House had for long lost confidence in the impeached Speaker especially in the way and manner he was running the affairs of the House in the past three years.
“This impeachment is long overdue, he has been running the affairs of the House haphazardly, in short he had derailed, he is not competent to lead a House like Plateau Assembly.
“We would have impeached him long time ago but the power that be in the state kept pleading with the House. We have to keep the plot under wrap this time around to avoid it being leaked to the government. It was planned in Abuja.
“His impeachment was based on loss of confidence, he did not embezzle any money neither did he commit any atrocity but he is not competent at all, we have tolerated him too long” he said
At the plenary on Wednesday, member representing Barkin Ladi constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Peter Gyendeng presented a signed document of the twenty members citing incompetence and lack of leadership qualities as a basis for vote of no confident on the two.
However, without much ado former Speaker Peter Azi, who had got wind of the plot to impeach him, stepped down immediately the signatures were tabled before the House. Deputy Speaker, Saleh Yitmong, presided over the sitting.
After this the signatures were subject to verification and the former deputy speaker Hon. Yusuf Gagdi representing Kantana state constituency nominated Hon. Joshua Madaki for the position of the new speaker which was unanimously voted through a voice vote.
Twelve out of the 17 APC legislators in the assembly also signed a document removing the majority leader Henry Yenkwap over poor representation in the assembly
Reacting, the newly elected lawmaker Joshua Madaki, pledged his unflinching support and loyalty to the house.
He promised to carry everybody along and run the affairs of the House well as stated by the rules and regulations in conjunction with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Also speaking, the new majority leader, Mr Daniel Naanlong, said “a new dawn has been opened in the house as APC members will see the change they deserve”.