Taraba Assembly elects Diah Speaker

Mr Abel Peter Diah, the member representing Mbamnga Constituency in the Taraba state 8th Assembly, on Wednesday emerged as Speaker.

Diah, who was a Deputy Speaker in the 7th Assembly, was in 2013 impeached by the house.

Speaker Abel Peter Diah


Diah was chosen, with Alhaji Mohammed Gwampo from Yorro State Constituency elected as Deputy Speaker.

Mr Joseph Kunini, representing Lau State Constituency, retained his former position of Majority Leader of the house.

Diah was nominated by the member representing Lau constituency, Joseph Kunini, and was seconded by the member representing Takum I, Mr Hosea Ibi.

The nomination was unanimously endorsed by the entire house.

Diah, who was returning to the house for the fourth time, assured members that the house under his watch would run a transparent, accountable and a resulted-orientated administration.

“We shall operate an open door policy that will welcome constructive criticisms and ensure that decisions are reached with the full consent of members.

“Our leadership will ensure that the house operates as a family in spite of the different political parties which were just a platform for our recruitment into the house,” he said in his acceptance speech.

The new speaker also pledged that the house would support the executive to ensure that peace returns to the state.

Diah and a former speaker, Haruna Gbana were impeached in 2013.