The speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, John Clark tendered his resignation today, Wednesday, 9th October, 2013.
Following his resignation, another lawmaker, Titus Alarms, from Bokkos constituency, was promptly elected as the new speaker and both the old and new speaker are from the Plateau Central Senatorial District where the office was zoned.
According to report, Mr. Clark resigned after pressure was mounted on him by his colleagues who asked him to quit or be impeached.
A lawmaker revealed that Mr. Alarms, the newly elected speaker offered each lawmaker N1million on Sunday to stave off impeachment and remain in office. The lawmakers, however, insisted he leaves office.
The deputy speaker, John-bull Shekaru, who represents Shendam constituency, was also impeached by the lawmakers after he refused to resign from office.
Mr. Shekaru’s impeachment was supported by 17 of the 24 members of the Assembly while 5 voted against it.
A new deputy speaker, Joyce Rapnap, representing Langtang South, was immediately elected.
The outgone speaker and his deputy were being accused of being too weak and very close to the executive and also, of not scrutinising bills and proposals from the executive because of the alleged closeness.
The lawmakers claimed this closeness was a hinderance as the Assembly couldn’t function effectively.
The old and new Assembly leaders are members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. The new leaders were sworn-in at the Assembly complex located at the Government House, Rayfield.