…Condemns ‘unconstitutional attempted’ impeachment of Speaker
The Senate on Tuesday resolved to wade into the leadership crisis rocking the Plateau State House of Assembly.
The Senate particularly condemned what it described as “the unconstitutional attempted impeachment” of the Speaker of the House, Hon. Abok Ayuba.
In its resolutions, the Senate urged the Plateau State House of Assembly to be guided by the rule of law and the constitution in all of its legislative business.
This followed a motion under Order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, moved by Senator Istifanus Gyang, predicated on urgent public importance titled; “Disruption of Legislative Business in PLHA: Need for Early Intervention of the Senate to Avoid Deterioration.”
In the motion, Gyang noted with concern, the barricading of the Plateau State House of Assembly, which has halted legislative business as a result of lack of access to the premises.
The federal lawmaker said that the alleged impeachment of the speaker, Hon. Ayuba Abok, by eight out of the 24 members of the House, fell short of the two-third constitutionally required number, as provided for in Section 92 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Gyang also said that majority of the Members of the House are opposed to the alleged impeachment of the Speaker, stressing that the Conference of Speakers of the 36 States have denounced the alleged impeachment and withheld recognition for the Yakubu Sanda leadership.
The Senator warned that the impasse and stalemate, if left unattended to, may further degenerate.
In the words of Gyang; “the development has the capacity to negatively affect the Democratic image and standing of Nigeria at the global stage.”
Citing Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Gyang explained that its provision empowers the National Assembly to intervene in the affairs of the State Assembly, where the House is unable to transact normal legislative business.
Accordingly, the Senate in its resolution, directed the Plateau State House of Assembly to be guided by the rule of law and the constitution in all legislative business, particularly where and when it affects appointment and impeachment of a presiding officer in order to deepen democracy and uphold the independence of the legislative arm of government.
