In a bizzare political drama in Plateau State, eight out of 24 lawmakers in the House of Assembly sacked their speaker, and within hours, the new helmsman got the recognition of the head of the executive arm of government, Simon Bako Lalong, whose Secretary to State Government (SSG) met them in his stead.
The new Speaker, Yakubu Sanda, representing Pengana State Constituency Bassa LGA, according to a statement by Lalong’s spokesman, Dr. Makut Simon Macham, led principal officers and some members of the House to the Government House to assure the Executive arm of its collaboration and cooperation in running the affairs of the State.
He was received at the Government House by Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Danladi Abok Atu, on behalf of the Governor.
Earlier in the day, Ayuba Abok of the All Progressives Congress (APC), representing Jos East State Constituency, was removed as the Speaker.
In the early Thursday morning coup, according to another lawmaker, Musa Agah, some members showed up three hours earlier than the officially stipulated time of 9.00 a.m.; and backed by security operatives, carried out what he described as “the height of illegality”
Agah told The Punch newspaper how it happened, “It was this morning (Thursday) that some few members rushed to the Plateau state House of Assembly as early as 6 am. You know the state House of Assembly is made up of 24 members and the constitutional requirement for the removal of the Speaker is 2/3 majority which is 16 members.
“So, eight lawmakers rushed to the Assembly this morning against the House rules that say that plenary commences from 9 am and even if there is going to be an extraordinary sitting, the Speaker is the one who is empowered to convene but that did not happen. When some of us got wind of what was happening, we rushed to the Assembly complex only to discover that security operatives had barricaded everywhere. Some of us were stopped from gaining access to the Assembly complex while they also harassed others.
“While the confusion was going on, the eight members said they have passed a vote of no confidence on the Speaker and went ahead to purportedly remove the speaker.”
But the Majority leader of the House, Hon. Naanlong Daniel, had a somewhat different story to tell.
He said the new Speaker emerged after 16 of the 23 Members of the House signed the petition to impeach the former Speaker Rt. Hon. Nuhu Ayuba Abok over series of allegations.
The Government House statement by Lalong’s spokesman quoted the Majority Leader as saying they were at the Government House in line with the tradition of the House to introduce the new leadership of the House whenever there is a change.
The new Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Sanda, said the new leadership of the House will work in synergy with the Executive and Judiciary for the peace, progress and development of Plateau State.
He said the House which now enjoys full autonomy will use its legislative powers to ensure that Government programmes and projects impact the people at the grassroots level.
“Responding on behalf of the Governor,” the Government House statement said, “Secretary to the Government of Plateau State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu said Governor Lalong and the entire Executive arm was surprised with the development, but nevertheless respects the decision of the House which is an autonomous organ that has powers to manage its internal affairs.
“He assured the House that the doors of the Executive will always remain open for collaboration and cooperation with the legislature in delivering good governance and actualising the Rescue Agenda.
“The Speaker was accompanied on the courtesy visit by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Shehu Sale Yipmong, Majority leader and ten other members.”
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