The legislative council of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) in the Federal Capital Territory was yesterday engulfed in a leadership crisis.
Abuja Metro reports that earlier on Monday, some of the councilors, who had defected to the All Progressives Party (APC), met to impeach the speaker of the council, Matthew Yare, a loyalist of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The councilors also went further to elect Jankaro Ibrahim, the councilor representing Kabusa Ward and a loyalist of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the new speaker.
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Our reporter, who has been monitoring the situation, reports that the council chairman, Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, had defected from the PDP to the APC, along with thousands of his supporters.
He also lobbied a majority of the councilors to join him in the APC. While eight of the 12 councilors in the council followed him, four of the lawmakers, including the now-impeached speaker, were hesitant to change political parties and expressed their loyalty to the PDP.
Why we took the decision – New speaker
Abuja Metro further reports that the APC councilors met earlier on Monday and held an impeachment session presided over by the deputy speaker, Tony Onoja, which ended with the formal announcement of Yare’s removal.
The councilors later elected Ibrahim Jankaro as the new speaker.
Explaining the development to journalists shortly after the session, the new speaker said the decision was rooted in democratic procedure and the standing orders of the council.
“What just happened now is the impeachment of the former Speaker of Abuja Municipal Council. And this is the democratic process of any legislative institution.
“In Abuja Municipal Council, the APC councilors are eight in number, while the PDP are four. The standing orders of the legislative council say that the minority cannot lead the majority. The minority stands to give constructive agitation and to make sure that they challenge the administration,” he said.
Exercise null and void – Impeached speaker
In a swift reaction, the impeached speaker of the council, Mathew Danjuma Yare, has described the action of his colleagues as null and void, saying he remains the speaker of the council.
In a statement he personally signed, Yare said their actions amounted to a gross abuse of established rules and standing principles of the hallowed chambers, as well as a blatant violation of all relevant provisions of the ground norms.
He said, ‘‘This morning, (yesterday morning), I received the news of my purported impeachment as Speaker of the AMAC Legislative Council. Let it be clearly stated that whatever may have allegedly transpired that is being purported to be an impeachment procedure stands null and void, as it amounts to gross abuse of established rules and standing principles of the hallowed chambers, as well as a blatant violation of all relevant provisions of the ground norms.
‘’Just as God cannot be taken away from us, so also the mandate of the people cannot be taken away, especially by crooked means. I will urge all our supporters, party faithful, and indeed the good people of AMAC to remain calm, peaceful, and steadfast.
‘’It’s too sad that at this moment, when our hearts are burdened with the passing of our dear mother and leader, Mrs. Grace Adayilo, the FCT Head of Service, some will choose to exhibit this level of insensitivity in an attempt to provoke unrest and distract us. We are united by the mourning mood we have found ourselves in the demise of Mama Africa. Her life was one of love, service, and sacrifice, and her departure is a deep loss to AMAC and the Federal Capital Territory at large.
May God comfort her family, comfort all of us in AMAC, and grant peace to the entire FCT.’’
