The Taraba state Assembly Monday, elected Josiah Kente as new Speaker to replace Haruna Tsokwa, who died after a brief illness on November 4. Details of Mr. Kente's election are, however, quite vague.
According to the initial reports, Mr. Kente, a former deputy majority leader of the Assembly, emerged by consensus after members agreed to retain the speakership position in the Southern Senatorial Zone of the state.
Late Speaker Tsoka hailed from that part of the state. Deputy Speaker Tanko Maikerifi was reportedly disqualified to allow for religious balancing in the leadership of the state.
Acting Governor Garba Umar is muslim and the lawmakers decided that another muslim should not be heading the second most powerful arm of government in the state.
Mr. Tsokwa died of a yet undisclosed on November 4 at the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo, the Taraba state capital.
The late speaker fully supported the Acting Governor Garba in the ongoing battle for the control of the state.
Mr. Tsokwa managed to escape death on September 19 when his convoy was attacked by the gunmen along the Jos – Abuja road.
He was not hurt, but some policemen in his convoy were seriously injured as a result of an exchange of fire between them and their attackers.
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