Hon Abel Peter Diah Returns As Taraba Speaker After Resignation Of Hon Mark Useni Bako .

 Hon. Abel Peter Diah, has emerged the new Speaker Taraba State House of Assembly. This followed the resignation of Rt.Hon. Mark Bako Useni during a plenary session which took place yesterday at the House of Assembly chambers, presided over by the outgoing speaker. 


While reading an emotionally ridden speech in which he noted the circumstances that led to his emergence as Speaker of the House, Hon. Bako stated that his resignation was based on personal reasons, adding he was grateful to the House for its support. He then invited the Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Gwampo to take over in preparation for the election of a new Speaker. 

In performing his obligation, the Clerk of the House invoked Order 2, rule 9 of the House standing rules and declared the seat of the Speaker vacant. The former Speaker, who had taken his seat with other members, therefore nominated Peter Abel Diah, PDP Mbamnga Constituency, and was seconded by Kizito Bonzena PDP Zing constituency. The new Speaker, Abel Peter Diah, is 46 years old and holds an Advanced Diploma in Public Administration from the Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola.

 He is one of the most experienced hands in the House having been first elected into the house in 2003. He was Speaker of the House before the Court of Appeal Yola nullified his election into the House in the April 2015 elections. He went for a re-run conducted by INEC in February, 2016 and emerged winner. In his acceptance speech, after taking the oath of office and allegiance, the new speaker expressed gratitude to the members for finding him worthy to occupy the position. 

He also appreciated the Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku for providing the enabling environment for a free and fair election. He acknowledged the fact that people are no longer safe due to high rate of insecurity and poverty. He promised to ‘wage war against insecurity, and also be transparent, accountable and accommodating’.