Controversy trails Adamawa House of Assembly leadership change

At a plenary sitting yesterday of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon. Kabiru Mijinyawa, leadership changes of the House was effected amidst controversy and confusion on the floor of the House resulting in the partial damage to the mace.

Resuming after a six weeks recess, a motion by Hon.Hayatu Atiku representing Uba Gaya constituency asking for the replacement of the Deputy Speaker, Sunday Peter, of Guyuk constituency, threw the House into tension and confusion as members struggled with one another to grab the mace in a bid to stop the proceeding, resulting in the damage to the mace.

Normalcy was restored an hour later, with only 17 members forming two third majority out of the 25, sitting, the Speaker, Kabiru Mijinyawa, announced the impeachment of all the principal officers except himself.

In a show of disagreement, eight other members staged a walkout while nursing a kangaroo impeachment.

According to the Speaker, Mijinyawa, the new leadership profile includes, Hon Emmanuel Tsambu, the new Deputy Speaker, Hassan Barguma, Majority Leader, Usan Adam Toungo, the new Chief Whip, Abdullahi Umar Yapak and the Deputy Chief Whip,

while Hon. Lusambani Dilli emerged the new Minority Leader, while Justina Nkom occupies the position of the new the Deputy Minority Leader.

The Adamawa State House of Assembly was abruptly adjourned last August 9th following attempts to impeach the Speaker, Kabiru Mijinyawa following allegations of high handedness and corruption, it is however the same offence that led to the impeachment of the principal officers now.

It would be recalled that Hon Mijinyawa was almost lynched by the state pilgrims at the just concluded hajj operation.

Speaking to press men immediately after the changes, Hon Emmanuel Tsamdu , said the changes were long overdue, stating that the members have long felt the need to effect changes in the leadership of the Assembly.

He however refused to confirm or deny the fraud allegations that continues to trail the former officials of the House.

This is coming two days after the confederation of speakers of state Houses of Assembly held a conference in Yola where their Adamawa State counterpart hosted them.