No Plan to Impeach Lalong, Says Plateau Speaker

Seriki Adinoyi

Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Abok Ayuba, has allayed fears that the House is plotting to impeach Governor Simon Lalong, reassuring that the House has no such agenda.

The governor and the lawmakers recently had a strenuous relationship following persistent attacks and killings in the state, culminating in the House giving the governor two weeks ultimatum to stop the carnage.

Lalong and his men possibly got agitated by the ultimatum, interpreting it to mean an attempt by the House to oust the governor over his weak handling of the crisis in the state, a development that allegedly led to a frantic attempt to seal the Assembly complex.

But the Speaker’s reassurance on Wednesday has calmed fray nerves. He said the House had no impeachment plans up its sleeves, dismissing it as an unfounded rumour.

Ayuba, who spoke with newsmen in Jos on Wednesday said as representatives of the people it was only incumbent on them to get worried about the persistent killings and mowing of crops across the state and had to call on the state Governor, and indeed the Federal Government to act fast.

He said the House had some respect for the governor, and would not contemplate impeaching him.

He said that “Lalong is the governor of Plateau state, and the people of the state voted for him for two terms. We in the House of Assembly have the duty to work and support him to complete his tenure before he leaves.”

Abok added that “Lalong has started acting on the ultimatum the House gave him; he has visited troubled spots in the state, he has visited Yelwa Zangan where some persons were killed recently.”

He added that the governor had also addressed citizens of the state as well as matched it with action as his deputy, Professor Sonni Tyoden on Monday led a high powered government delegation to deliver relief materials to survivors of the attacks.

The Speaker said, “As an Assembly with people at heart, we call on Plateau citizens to have confidence in us with renewed commitment; they should also know that we are not against the Governor or planning to impeach him.

“We are always willing to partner with the Executive to ensure that lasting peace is restored in the state.”