Assembly mandates Suntai's Deputy to act as Gov

Following the long absence of the Taraba State Governor, Mr. Danbaba Suntai, from office,the State House of Assembly yesterday resolved that the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Umaru Garba should take over as Acting Governor, pending the return of Suntai who is still undergoing medical treatment in a private hospital in Germany, for injuries sustained in the recent plane crash at the Yola airport.

Moving the motion on the floor of the House, under matters of urgent public attention, the Majority leader, Charles Majenke said the state could not continue to stay without an Acting Governor, contrary to section 190 (2) of the 1999 constitution as amended, and therefore urged the Assembly to direct the Deputy Governor to act until the return of the Governor.

Responding soon after the motion was seconded by Hon. Rashida Abdullahi, the Speaker, Hon. Istifanus Gbana said there was need to also cleared the ambiguities created by the governor's absence. He added that the House had a duty to direct the Deputy Governor to act as governor, but finds it difficult to locate the  relevant provisions that mandates it to swear in the deputy governor.

The Deputy Speaker, who also spoke on the issue, said the decision of the House was in tandem with the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, following the resignation of the embattled Speaker of the Benue State
House of Assembly, Mr. David Iorhemba last week, a new Speaker, Mr.
Emmanuel Ayua, was on Monday, elected to preside over the Food Basket
state's legislature.

Emmanuel Ayua, who until his election was the Chairman, Committee on Local government, Security and Chieftaincy Affairs and member representing Gwer state constituency emerged as a consensus candidate when the House reconvened Tuesday after Iorhember resigned last week.

The former Speaker had last week Monday, resigned his position citing personal reasons for his action shortly after a motion for his impeachment was raised on the floor of the House by the member, representing Otukpo Adoka State constituency, Hon. Baba Ode accusing him of high handedness, gross financial misconduct and misrepresentation of the Assembly before the executive.

According to the letter, dated 8th November, titled letter of resignation as Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly, and read by his deputy, Dr. Stephen Onmeje, Mr. Iorhemha stated thus, “I hereby resign my position as speaker of the Benue Assembly on personal grounds".

Mr. Baba Ode speaking on a point of constitution had earlier accused Mr. Iohemba of misappropriating the sum of N29 million meant for the training of lawmakers in addition to running the assembly as his personal estate and high handedness.

While the proceeding leading to the election of a new speaker was on, a group of thugs stormed the chambers and rough handled the lawmakers, bringing the sitting to abrupt end. The house however reconvened yesterday and unanimously elected Mr. Ayua as its new Speaker.

In his acceptance speech, the new Benue Speaker noted that in spite of the changes in leadership of the Assembly since its inauguration, the Assembly has achieved its core legislative and oversight functions for the good governance of the state.

The Speaker condemned the invasion of the Assembly last week, by thugs, adding that it was capable of breaching the peace for which the Assembly was known.

While acknowledging that the task ahead is herculean, Mr. Ayua called on his colleagues to support him to succeed and promised to do his best to guarantee stability in the House.

The compass