The speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Moses Sule, and his deputy Fom Gwottson, have resigned their positions.
Sule and Gwottson, both of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) represent Mikang and Jos South constituencies in the assembly respectively.
The drama that came with their resignation, however, started on Tuesday morning when the former speaker, Sule presided over plenary and later announced his resignation, handing over to his former deputy, Gwottson, who continued with the session and also announced his resignation.
Following their resignation, the member representing Pankshin North constituency, Gabriel Dawang, who is a member of Young Progressive Party (YPP), was elected as the new speaker while Timothy Dantong representing Riyom constituency was elected as the new deputy speaker of the assembly.
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The resignation of both the former speaker and his deputy came two days after the court of appeal sacked Governor Caleb Mutfwang and three other PDP lawmakers of the house.
Daily Trust reports that the former leaders of the house announced their resignation even before the Appeal Court was yet to determine their cases in a move that pundits opined may be to save face or to protest against the appellate court’s recent judgments.
Three out of the 16 PDP lawmakers in the house have already been sacked with the 13 other cases expected to be determined before the end of the week.
Speaking to journalists after his last proceeding as speaker, Sule said he resigned for the peace and development of the state.
“Resignation is also part of good leadership. Leadership is not all about you but about the generality of the people. As a leader, sometimes you have to make sacrifices. The resignation is out of patriotism. Certain things are happening. Some of us have to do certain things to get things right. So, the reason for the resignation is personal,” the former speaker said.
Daily Trust reports that the new speaker emerged after he was nominated by a PDP lawmaker and seconded by another PDP lawmaker and thereafter all members present gave their nod.
Our correspondent reports that all seven APC lawmakers were absent when the new speaker emerged.
