Azi, Gagdi emerge leaders of Plateau Assembly

The Plateau State House of Assembly has elected Hon. Peter Atang Azi of the All Progressives Congress as the Speaker at a reschedule election.

The emergence of Azi followed the stepping down of Istifanus Mwansat of the Peoples Democratic Party.

With the decision of Mwansat to step down, the House to endorsed Azi as speaker of the 8th Assembly.

The election had suffered a setback on Tuesday following the keen contest between the two candidates, leading to the rescheduling of the election.

At the rescheduled election, Hon. Abubakar Babayo Gagdi also emerged as the deputy speaker.

This followed a contest with Emos Kuntul all of the PDP.

Gagdi polled 13 votes, while Kuntul mustered 11.

Azi was thereafter sworn in by the Clerk of the House, Hon. Ayuba Gongu.

Speaking to newsmen after adjournment of proceedings Mwansat said he stepped down for “democracy in action and in the overall interest of the state”.

Also speaking to journalists, the state Chairman of the APC, Hon. Lateb Dabang, whose party constituted minority of members in the House, said he was extremely happy that party supremacy was not just the interests of the legislators, but that of the development of the state.

Dabang said he is not expecting anything less of a “vibrant House that will be responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of the generality of the people of the state”.

A former Speaker of the House, Hon. Clark Dabwan, urged the Assembly and its leadership to work in tandem with the provisions of the constitution.