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Why Abok Ayuba was removed

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AS the crisis at the Plateau State House of Assembly gets more and more intense, the Majority Leader and member representing Mikang constituency Hon. Na’anlong Gapyil Daniel on behalf of the House has once again, found it imperative to address the press and put the records straight by clarifying issues arising from the impeachment and change in leadership.

On constitutional provisions

In order to put the records straight, the majority leader affirmed that due process was observed following the removal of the former speaker Rt. Hon. Abok Nuhu Ayuba, as provided in Section 92, 2(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Accordingly, sixteen (16) out of the twenty four (24) members signed a resolution for his impeachment which was complied with on the 28th October, 2021. Therefore, the public and members of the press should note that contrary to what was being speculated, seventeen (17) members were present in the chambers at the sitting on that faithful day which is more than the required number that forms a quorum in any legisiative business of a state House of Assembly.

The Majority Leader, Na’anlong Daniel also said that it is baseless and misleading to say that only eight (8) members signed for the impeachment of the former speaker, as been spread around in the social and mainstream media by some individuals. He further disclosed that the Clerk of the House is in possession of the names of all members who were present on the said day. That unfortunately, some members of the other side who were there and even addressed the press afterwards have been involved in misinforming the public.

On why the former speaker was removed

Abok Nuhu Ayuba’s refusal to reconvene the House is first and foremost a good enough reason for his impeachment. You will recall that since August this year, the House was unable to meet in order to carry out its legisiative business simply because the former speaker refused to reconvene the House, and this is also due to the fact that he was asked to render account of his financial activities regarding the House. Since then, he closed down the House and refused to allow members to consider many crucial bills that were still pending.

In fact, for the three consecutive times the governor approached the House to lay the 2022 appropriation bill, the former speaker refused. It took a lot of pleading and begging for that to happen. Also, because of its inability and refusal to reconvene the House for legisiative business, bills, notions and matters of urgent public importance that could have helped the people of Plateau and the state generally have now suffered serious setback. But all hope is not lost as the new Speaker Rt. Hon. Yakubu Yakson Sanda is determined to correct all these abnormalities.

Needless to say that all these issues mentioned above constitute gross incompetence, high handedness and financial recklessness on the part of the former speaker in the management of the House affairs which ultimately cost him his seat. Again, soon after the former speaker was impeached, he and some other members went ahead to construct a fake maze to convene a kangaroo sitting at an event centre in Zawan. This further worsened his already bad case and warranted a suspension which caused him and the other members who joined him in committing such infractions to be suspended.

On external forces destabilizing the House and state

We have noticed with utter disappointment that there are some external forces using the former speaker to achieve their political ends. Our conclusion is based on the fact that upon the removal of the speaker, he immediately congratulated the new speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Yakson Sanda in a communication which is available. Similarly, he personally wrote a resignation letter and pleaded with the new speaker to accept his resignation and give him soft landing so that the record of impeachment will not hang on his neck. While that was being considered, he was incited by those who want to exploit the situation and became hysterical which further escalated the situation leading to the security breach and destruction of some parts of the House. We advice those fuelling this matter to desist as they will be required to pay for their actions in due time.

On reactions from others

We have noticed a wide reaction from various people who are either ignorant of the true situation or are being partisan for their selfish political interest. We as members of the Plateau State House of Assembly are calling on Sen. Jonah David Jang, Sen. I.D Gyang, Rep. Musa Dachung Bagos as well as the Lagos State House of Assembly, former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and many others to always verify and cross check facts, as their actions and comments are misleading and not a true reflection of what transpired on the floor of the House. Therefore, we call on them to get their facts clearly before delving into any conclusions.

Similarly, the Plateau State House of Assembly takes exception to the comments of the former Governor of Benue State Sen. Gabriel Suswam who threw caution to the wind and chose to use abusive language on the Honourable members of the Plateau State House of Assembly. While he is warned to desist from disrespecting the members, some of whom are much older than him, we however, thank the Senate President Dr. Ahmed Lawan for calling him to order and putting him in his right place.

On other matters

Going further, the biggest questions he said many have not been asked are firstly, why is the PDP in the state crying more than the bereaved? Is the former speaker their member and member of the PDP? Is it not because they (PDP) have lost relevance in the political space of the state? Or is there something they are hiding from the people of Plateau? This is because their actions and comments are inimical to the peace and unity of the state, and we will not seat and watch them disrupt the hard earned peace in the state.

As it stands, the House met the constitutional requirement in removing the speaker and anyone who is not satisfied with the decision of the House may wish to approach the court of law and seek redress, than inciting and whipping up unnecessary sentiments. As far as the members of the Plateau State House of Assembly are concerned, the former speaker did not come to the House as Speaker. He was first amongst equals and was given the privilege to lead. When he lost the confidence of his colleagues, he had to go and this is standard legislative practice.

As democrats and beneficiaries of the democratic process, we will stand against any internal or external forces that are bent on destroying or giving the legislative arm or the state a bad image. We want to also assure our constituents and the entire people of Plateau that we will continue to operate a people oriented legislature, and work closely with the other arms of government in providing the needed dividends of democracy, as our doors are open for meaningful dialogue and consultation for the interest of the state. We, as a House, are also appealing to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to unseal the House in order to enable us continue with our legislative functions, in view of the numerous bills on ground which requires legislative attention, especially the 2022 appropriation bill that has already been laid by the Executive Governor Simon Bako Lalong.

Our correspondent observed that twelve (12) members were present for the address and briefing. They include the Rt. Hon. Speaker Yakubu Yakson Sanda representing Pengana constituency, Rt. Hon. Shehu Saleh Yipmong, Deputy Speaker and member representing Dengi constituency, Hon. Yahaya Adamu Mavo who represents Wase constituency, the Majority Leader and member representing Mikang constituency Hon. Na’anlong Gapyil Daniel, Hon. Mohammed Ballo representing Qua’an Pan South constituency and Hon. Eric Dakogol the member representing Qua’an Pan North constituency. Others are Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan representing Jos North-North constituency, Hon. Amurudu Ussaini representing Bokkos constituency, Hon. Wallok Goma who representing Kanke constituency, Hon. Livinus Kwapfuan representing Shendam constituency, Hon. Abdul Yanga representing Mangu South constituency and Hon. Ismaila Hudu Bala representing Kantana constituency.

 

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