Gov. Lalong Reacts As Plateau Assembly Impeaches Speaker, Appoints New One

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong has expressed surprise at the decision of the State House of Assembly to impeach Abok Ayuba as its speaker and appoint a new person.

The Governor made his mind known on Thursday when the lawmakers paid him a courtesy call shortly after the change of power.

Lalong who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of Plateau State Prof. Danladi Abok Atu said though surprised, he respects the decision of the legislators based on the principle of separation of powers.

Ezenwoko’s Blog earlier reported that lawmakers in the Plateau State House of Assembly have impeached Hon. Abok Ayuba Nuhu as the speaker of the house.

Nuhu, following his impeachment on Thursday, was replaced with Sanda Yakubu, who hails from Pingana constituency of Bassa Local Government Area of the state.

The impeachment of Nuhu was backed by votes of sixteen lawmakers out of the 24 members of the assembly.

Shortly after the development, the new speaker led other members of the house to the Rayfield Government House in Jos on a solidarity visit to the Governor.

He was accompanied on the visit by Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Shehu Sale Yipmong, Majority leader, and ten other members.

The Governor’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Macham Makut said in a statement that the lawmakers were in the Government House to express their readiness to collaborate and work with the Lalong administration.

He added that a new Speaker emerged after 16 of the 23 members of the House signed the petition to impeach the former Speaker.

The statement reads: “The new Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda has 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.

“The new Speaker was received at the Government House by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Danladi Abok Atu, on behalf of the Governor.

“Speaking during the visit, the Majority leader of the House Hon. Naanlong Daniel said 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 programs and projects impact the people at the grassroots level.”

The SSG, Prof. Atu who received the legislators on behalf of the Governor expressed the readiness of the executive to work with them to make Plateau better.