No Hard Feelings Over My Removal, impeached Plateau Speaker Says

Mr. Peter Azi (Photo Credit: Daily Post)

Mr. Peter Azi, the impeached Speaker of Plateau House of Assembly has said on Wednesday that he is not moved by his removal.

Members of the Plateau State house of Assembly unanimously removed by his Azi representing representing Jos North-East Constituency in a dramatic sitting on Wednesday.

Mr. Joshua Madaki from Jos East Constituency, promptly replaced him.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria, Azi described his removal as “part of legislative dynamism’’ that shapes democracy.

“As we speak, I don’t have any regrets over my removal as Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly.

“To me, the removal is just a part of the legislative dynamism, which I should gladly accept as it helps in shaping our democracy.

“In fact, I now feel relieved because now I have time to parley with people in my own constituency, because, then as the Speaker, I took the entire state as my constituency.

“I am happy that my colleagues did not pin-point any area of fault in my leadership, but only claimed they just needed a change of leadership,” he said.

When asked if his removal was motivated by his role as a stumbling block to the House getting at Governor Simon Lalong, Azi said, “Well, if that was the problem, they didn’t say so.

“It is the same people that elected Lalong as governor, who also elected members to the House, and so I see no reason why they may want to get at him.

“I don’t think anyone would want to plunge the state into any crisis. We are all trying to support the democratic system for due process to thrive for the sake of the peace of the state.

“If they have anything against the governor, why won’t they seek amicable means of relaying it to him, than go after him?

“All we want is peace on the Plateau, not rancour,’’ Azi said.