Groups in Plateau State have kicked against the election of the speaker of the state House of Assembly from the central senatorial zone of the state.
In separate interviews with newsmen, the groups said electing a speaker from same senatorial zone with governor Caleb Muftwang, is against the already existing zoning arrangement in the state.
Speaking under the auspices of Plateau New Equity Group, they warned that electing a speaker from the central senatorial zone would jeopardize the peace and tranquility already being enjoyed in the state.
The groups in a statement by its coordinator, Solomon Zet, reminded the governor that he would have stood no chance of becoming the governor if there was no zoning.
He said the governor should be fair to all in the state by retaining the zoning arrangement and giving the southern zone their fair share to be speaker.
Also, a youth group under the auspices of Justice and Transparency, advised the governor to keep the speakership seat in the southern zone where it rightfully belongs.
Briefing newsmen in Jos, the group’s spokesman, Bulus Nankpa, said, “We want peace in our state so we will not hesitate to tell the governor to do the right thing and ensure the Southern zone retains the speaker position since both the north and central zones have been adequately taken care of in the current arrangement.”
LEADERSHIP reports that the position of speaker in Plateau State which is the third most powerful position should go to the southern zone since the Central and Northern zones have taken the governor and deputy governor positions.
Hon Gabriel Dewan of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) from the Central zone was elected as speaker in November 2023.