By Frank Ikpefan, Abuja; Kolade Adeyemi, Jos
Impeached Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Ayuba Abok, has narrated how the state governor, Simon Lalong, allegedly supervised his impeachment by seven lawmakers on Thursday.
Abok alleged that the governor camped six of the pro-impeachment plot lawmakers in his house a day before the impeachment exercise.
Also yesterday, Governor Lalong received in audience the new Speaker, who led a delegation to formally inform him about the change of leadership in the House, with a promise to collaborate with the executive.
The ‘impeached’ speaker said as early as 5am the following day, Lalong led six of the lawmakers into the floor of the State House of Assembly where they were joined by another lawmaker and superintended over his “impeachment” on the floor of the House.
To perfect the process, Abok said, the Clerk of the House was “arrested around 1am” to pave way for the impeachment process.
The speaker, who spoke to reporters in Abuja yesterday at a briefing organised by the Not Too Young to Run Movement, said said: “What happened in Plateau State is very unfortunate that someone that has headed that institution, a former Speaker, lawyer, a leader of the 19 Northern Governors Forum, it is very unfortunate that this is the kind of leadership that we have in Nigeria, that doesn’t respect the constitution.
“The governor camped six members in his house and took them to the floor of the House of Assembly in the morning, by 5 am, and brought another one to join them to become seven.
“They started the impeachment process without due process. They arrested the Clerk of the House at 1am and they did what they did and called it impeachment of the speaker of the house.
Read Also: Seven Plateau lawmakers remove Speaker Abok
“If this continues, then we don’t have a country.”
Abok said he fell out with the governor for kicking against killings in the state.
He said the house led by him forced the governor to start visiting some communities affected by the crisis.
This, he explained, made the governor uncomfortable and made him vow to remove him even if with only two members of the House.
Earlier, the Convener of Not Too Young to Run Movement, Samson Itodo, had condemned the removal of the speaker by the seven Lawmakers.
In a statement issued yesterday, Itodo demanded as follows: “That the President issues a directive to security agencies to restore order in the House and ensure Rt Hon Ayuba Nuhu Abok is accorded full legal and security protection to preside over the legislative business of the House without intimidation and interference.
“That the National Assembly should take legislative action to uphold the constitution and defend the legislature as a cardinal institution of democracy. The National Assembly should invite the Inspector General of Police and Director-General of Department of State Services for questioning over the involvement of these institutions in the constitutional breach.
“That the state government respects the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in the constitution and ensure it refrains from interfering with the business of the House or undermining its legitimate leadership.
“That the eight legislators and their benefactors be held to account for subverting a constituted authority and undermining the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Lalong receives new speaker
Governor Lalong yesterday received the new speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Sanda, who led a delegation to formally inform him about the change of leadership in the House, promising to collaborate with the executive.
Majority leader of the House Hon. Daniel Naanlong told the Governor that the House decided to change its leadership in order to save the institution and democracy from further damage on account of the misconduct and violation of due process and high handedness of former speaker Abok.
He said after following due process and complying with the laid down procedures, 16 members signed for the removal of Abok who was subsequently impeached by the required 2/3 of the members, including some PDP members who do not want to be mentioned for now.
Naanlong said in Abok’s place, Sanda, the member representing Pengana Constituency in Bassa LGA, was elected as speaker.
In his remarks, the new speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda, said he was humbled by the confidence that 16 of his colleagues, including some PDP members, reposed in him to lead them at this auspicious time, promising to be fair, just and patriotic.
He assured the governor that the House would collaborate with the executive and the legislature to serve the people of Plateau State by ensuring that there is good governance, security, peace and infrastructural development, among others.
Sanda also said that all pending bills which had suffered undue delays in the House under the former Speaker would receive proper legislative action as the State needs to make progress and deliver the dividends of democracy to the electorate.
Receiving the new Speaker, Governor Lalong said the House is totally autonomous and capable of determining its leadership at any time without any external interference.
He expressed confidence that their decision is the best for the State because they have clearly shown that they are on the side of the people and will not sacrifice legislative duties which they have taken an oath to perform on the altar of political ambitions.
The Governor said: “As a House, you are the ones who know why you had to change your leadership at this moment. However, this kind of event is not new to the Plateau House of Assembly where leaderships have been changed in the past.
“Nobody comes to the House as a Speaker, but the members donate such privilege to one of them as first among equals. That is why those who have such privilege should do their best to carry their colleagues along and work for the benefit of the people and the legislature.”
The Governor advised the new Speaker to be focused and humble in discharging his duties with utmost diligence and respect for all members as well as a commitment to work for the success of the government.
He assured the new House leadership that he will support them and continue to work for their success, being a former Speaker and one who has championed the autonomy of the legislature by being the first to implement it in the country.