I Remain A Substantive Speaker, Sanda Insists As Plateau Assembly Leadership Tussle Continue
By Daniel Agada, Jos
A member representing Pengana Constituency in the Plateau State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda on Monday has insisted that he remains the substantive speaker of the House.
Sanda made the pronouncement while speaking to reporters at the House of Assembly complex in Jos, the state capital.
According to him, “gentle men of the press it’s gladdened me that I am before you this evening. As a matter of fact, it is a welcome development for people of Nigeria to get to hear the true matter of all situation.
“It is unfortunate that the person who was the former speaker congratulated me after I was elected as a speaker that will still go round, and parade himself as the speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
“And that today he finds himself here in the chamber which is illegal, and I almost wanted to declare him wanted, but in the spirit of give, and take as a Honourable member like me, I said No, but he should stop it. All he needs to do is that he should return the constructed mace that he is parading himself on his car. He is a brother, he is a colleague, but he should stop this.
“Of course, you’re aware that he has been impeached, and I am the substantive speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly!
You went into the chamber, and saw by yourself. The number you saw is not true, we were 13 in number including the PDP, the opposition. And the people that signed the Impeachment are 16 in number, and by the rules of the even 8 can seat in the chamber and take decision”, Sanda revealed.
However, our correspondent Observed that the embattled Rt.Hon. Abok Nuhu Ayuba alongside other members of the House were seen at the chamber of the House Assembly in the morning.
The situation which generates pandemonium at State Assembly premises when pro- Abok Nuhu Ayuba led faction stage a protest demanding for his reinstatement as heavy armed security personnel fire tear gas to disperse the protesters.
Later in the afternoon the Abok led faction were seen living the Assembly complex accompanied by the Plateau State Commissioner of police to an unknown destination before the new speaker Yakubu Sanda led faction came to the House in the evening.
The majority leader of the House, Hon. Daniel Naanlong who is in charge of rules and business said,the people of Plateau State cannot be deceived, and we’re all people of Plateau State.
“Let me make it categorically clear that to do business in the House, what you need is to form a quorum and to impeach a speaker, you need a two-third because the House rules is very clear.
“Whatever were done in the House is legitimate, and whoever most have come after us illegal. As long as you are not a leader, you don’t have the right to convene, because it is illegal.
“So what they most have done today is illegal, and we have written to the police to take adequate action”.
The Yakubu Sanda led faction said they will continue seating tomorrow Tuesday.
