PH
Abuja – The Taraba State House of Assembly has elected Mark Useni as its new Speaker.
The election follows the recent Appeal Court judgment setting aside the election of Peter Diah.
The appeal court seating in Yola had ordered a poll re-run.
At the plenary on Thursday, the House, presided by the Deputy Speaker, Muhamed Gwampo, communicated to the members the position of the court.
After declaring the seat of the Speaker vacant, Gwampo called for the election.
The majority leader of the House and member representing Lau, Joseph Kunini, nominated Useni.
Member representing Wukari II, Josiah Aji, seconded him.
Useni was unanimously elected by 22 out the 24 members of the House present at the sitting.
Presenting his inaugural speech immediately after taking his seat, Useni lauded the members for keeping faith in him and remaining peaceful despite the political tussle that surrounded the setting aside of the election of the former Speaker.
“The Taraba State House Assembly has shown politicians that issues at the assembly can be handled within and among the members despite their political differences,” Useni said.
He applaud the executive arm of the state for cordial working relationship with the legislative arm and promised to maintain the relations for the development of the state.
Useni was the Speaker of the seventh Assembly whose tenure ended last year after elections.
