Confusion In Plateau As Governor Lalong Stops Speaker’s Election

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Tuesday, June 9th, 2015

Agabus Pwanagba, Jos – The battle for the speakership of the Plateau State House of Assembly was stalled, after the Governor of the State, Barrister Simon Lalong ordered that the exercise be suspended, due to security reasons.

The announcement for the suspension was made by the Clerk of the House, Barrister Simon Gongu, saying “the governor said the exercise should be suspended, because of security concerns”.

In the first round of voting, Hon. Peter Azi of the APC got 12 votes, while Hon. Istifanus Mwansat got 12. So, because it was a tie, they needed to go for another round of voting.

African Examiner reports that the tie was because one PDP legislator voted for the APC candidate.

In the 24 member House, the PDP has 13 seats, while the APC has 11 seats.

A source in the House said, the PDP is desperate to get the Speakership, so as to hold on to something, after losing the governorship election.

But the governor of the state prefers to have an APC speaker who will enable him to get his bills and other requests sail smoothly in the house.