Taraba Assembly Operates Without Speaker

Since the Appeal Court ruling of December 25 that nullified the election of Abel Peter Diah as a member representing Mbamga state constituency in Taraba State House of Assembly, the house has been operating without a speaker.

The Appeal Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, had on December 21, 2015, in an appeal filed by Diah, upheld the decision of the tribunal, which nullified his election in eight polling units, but ordered run-off in five polling units of the eight. On December 25, while Diah was celebrating Christmas with his family and supporters, the Appeal Court finally sat on the appeal brought before the court by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and still upheld the decision of the tribunal. The ruling has since created a leadership vacuum in the house that has since December 25 been without a speaker, and by implication without any principal officer of the house.

Efforts to get the chairman, House committee on information and public affairs, Salleh Sa’ad, for comments on the development failed. However, on local television stations monitored in Jalingo, Sa’ad declared the seat of the speaker of the house vacant. According to him, the Speaker lost the last leg of his appeal which has stopped him from being a member and by implication, speaker of the house.

Sa’ad urged the public not to overheat the system as the house leadership was still intact with the deputy speaker still in office with other principal officials and would reconvene when it is time. He noted that the house was still on recess and would do the right when it resumes.

It would be recalled that All Progressive Congress, APC candidate, Emmanuel Bongo, is challenging the declaration of Diah as member representing Mbamga state constituency on the grounds that the election was marred by irregularities and substantial non-compliance with the electoral act.

-National mirror

Comments

Taraba Governor Approves Cabinet Reshuffle, Redeploys Four Commissioners

Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has approved the immediate redeployment of four Commissioners serving in the State Executive Council as part of a cabinet reshuffle. The redeployment, contained in a press release dated August 26, 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gebon Timothy Kataps, Esq., affects four ministries. Under the new arrangement, Hon. Peter George moves from the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry to the Ministry of Water Management and Aquatic Affairs, while Hon. Daniel Ishaku is redeployed from Water Management and Aquatic Affairs to the Ministry of Waste Management and Resource Innovation. Also affected are Hon. Bernard Shonzen James Kassa, who moves from the Ministry of Waste Management and Resource Innovation to the Ministry of Social Development and Human Services, and Hon. Philip Habu James, who is redeployed from the Ministry of Social Development and Human Services to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry...

Jukun militia kills five Tiv farmers, injures woman in fresh attack

In Spite of interventions by stakeholders to broker peace between the Tiv and Jukun in Benue and Taraba states, five persons have been killed in fresh attacks on Gyenku in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State. The Guardian learnt that the Jukun attacked farms to kill the victims.Confirming the incidence, Caretaker Chairman of Ukum Council, Tor-Tyokaa Iberlogo said five persons were killed on their farms, while a woman was seriously injured and is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital. On what becomes of the peace committee set up by Benue and Taraba states governments to ensure lasting peace and security in both states, Iberlogo said members of the committee would visit him next Monday for briefing. When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue Command, DSP Sewuese Anene, said all efforts to get details from the Ukum Council Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and the Police Area Command failed. It would be recalled that the incidence took p...

Taraba Government: Curfew Relaxed by Two Hours

The fourteen hours curfew imposed by the Taraba State Government on Jalingo metropolis and surrounding villages at the wake of the fulani herdsmen evasion of some communities has been relaxed by two hours. This was contained in a press release signed by the Deputy Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor, Mr. Iliya Bekyu Akweh. Accordingly, the approved timing of the curfew is now 6pm to 6am as against the initial 4pm to 6pm daily. To this end, the state government is again appealing to the security agencies in the state to ensure enforcement of the curfew. Residents of Jalingo the state’s capital and surrounding villages especially those at the areas affected by the crisis are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance.

Taraba Facts

Search This Blog