The member representing Uba/Gaya state constituency in Adamawa state, Aminu Iya Abbas, has been elected speaker of the State House of Assembly.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker was elected Thursday during the inauguration of the 7th Assembly at the assembly complex in Yola.
Three aspirants from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier indicated interest to contest for speakership along with the incumbent speaker, Kabiru Mijinyawa of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The numbers of aspirants within the PDP had created tension as the main opposition had hoped to capitalize on the sharp division among the PDP members to clinch the post.
Though the PDP had a slight majority in the 7th assembly with 13 members as against the 11 by the opposition APC, the decision of one of the contenders to withdraw from the race narrowed the contest to only two candidates.
However, sensing the unity of purpose among the PDP members, the APC candidate and immediate past speaker Mijinyawa decided to step down from the race thereby allowing the Abbas to emerge the sole candidate for the position.
Subsequently, Abbas won the contest unopposed especially following the decision of the other PDP aspirants to rally round him against the APC candidate.
Abbas, whose first degree is in accountancy and masters in treasury management from Bayero university Kano, is a second term member that was first elected into the assembly between 2011 and had served in various positions.
He was variously deputy minority leader, minority leader, chief whip, chairman House committee on public service and labour, vice chairman committee on finance and solid minerals as well as chairman of the adhoc committee that investigated the 2nd agric loan.
The adhoc report indicted the state government and its officials who were directed to refund the money among many other things.
Similarly, the lawmakers unanimously elected a first timer Hon Pwamdwa keino Mackondo representing Numan constituency as the new deputy speaker.
Following his election, the newly elected speaker promised to run an open administration that would allow all members to contribute positively to the development of the state.
He promised to work harmoniously with the executive arms in the overall interest of the people of the state, but was quick to say that the assembly would resist any pressure to it a mere rubber stamp assemble.
