Plateau State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, elected Mr. Peter Azi, as the Speaker.
Azi’s election came after the lawmakers failed to elect a speaker on Tuesday.
Azi, an All Progressives Congress
lawmaker representing Jos North-West state constituency, emerged the
winner after another contender for the position, Mr. Istifanus Mwansat,
of the Peoples Democratic Party, withdrew from the race.
The inability of the legislature to
choose its principal officers on Tuesday had forced Governor Simon
Lalong to ask for a postponement of the proclamation of the 8th
Assembly, citing security reasons.
After the voting on Tuesday, Azi tied
with Mwansat at 12 votes each. But a consensus was said to have been
reached when Mwansat decided to step down after the House resumed
sitting on Wednesday.
Immediately the house was called to
order and the acting Clerk, Ayuba Gorgu, called for the commencement of
the business of the day, Mwansat rose up to announce his withdrawal from
the race.
Azi
was subsequently nominated by Mr. Baba Hassan, who is representing
Jos-North state constituency. He was seconded by Mr. Henry Yuokwan from
Shendam state constituency.
The representative of Kantana
constituency, Mr. Yusuf Gagdi, who is a Peoples Democratic Party member,
was elected the deputy speaker.
He defeated Mr. Amos Kumtull of PDP. Gagdi defeated his challenger by 13 votes to 10.
Speaking after he was elected, Azi promised to carry all the members along in the discharge of his duties.
Source: Punchng
