KADUNA — Former Speaker of the Kaduna State House of Assembly, Usman Gangara, yesterday, faulted his purported impeachment by 19 members of 34-member assembly, saying that Governor Ramalan Yero was responsible for the crisis in the House.

His group has also briefed a Kaduna-based lawyer, Emmanuel Toro, SAN, to challenge the alleged impeachment.

Gangara was said to have been removed after a long battle of wits that started with the demise of the the former governor, Sir Ibrahim Yakowa in December, 2012.

As the House of Assembly was sitting, a police helicopter hovered over the Assembly complex while there was heavy presence of armed policemen on ground, indicating that it was an unusual day at the members.

The members that impeached Gangara were less than the 23 required under section 92 (c) of the 1999 Constitution by four members who reportedly sat without the mace.

It was gathered that Gangara and his group were aware of yesterday’s plot to impeach them and removed the mace from the Assembly Complex.

After his enthronement, the new Speaker addressed a news conference to “mark another milestone in the history of Kaduna State House of Assembly.”

But, the Gangara and his deputy, Dogara Mato and other principal officers of the House debunked the “impeachment,” describing the action as unconstitutional.

According to them, the ‘’coup’’ was orchestrated by Governor Yero after allegedly bribing the members with N10 million each.

How the impeachment was carried out:

The Clerk of KDSHA, Mr Umma Hikima kick-started proceedings by informing members that “We have now reconvened, but without the Speaker and his deputy. Not even the majority leader is here today. And the House cannot sit without any of the two.

So the House can now nominate A Speaker Pro-tempo for the House to effectively sit in session.”

Ahmed Jumare then nominated Philemon Usman to serve as Speaker and was seconded by Yakubu Yusuf and when the Clerk put that into voice vote, the majority were in support.

Usman then called for an opening prayer for the session, after which he asked if there was any business to be discussed.

At this point, Jerry Kantiok asked for recognition from the acting Speaker, and was so granted.

Kantiok then pulled out three newspapers which he said carried stories that disparaged their persons as members who had gone to Abuja to collect huge sums of money with the intention of removing the Speaker.

“Gangara and his leadership did nothing to protect our image. Their silence means that they sponsored these publications. With these, we cannot trust them to remain under their leadership. I therefore call for the impeachment of Gangara and Dr. Mato, his deputy.”

Yakubu Yusus again supported the motion, with no other dissenting view when put to vote among the 19 members.

The new Speaker Tahir also said: “Today marks another milestone in the history of the Kaduna State House of Assembly. What transpired is a clear manifestation that democracy is driven by the will and voice of the majority. Your action was informed by urgent desire to transform and re-invigorate this honourable house for maximum result. . .I have viewed and accepted the challenges of the office of the Speaker and assure you that with your support and cooperation I will not let you down… However for the House to succeed, members must resolve to take their constitutional mandate with the utmost seriousness it deserves.”

The Director General, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Maiyaki dismissed the Gangara’s allegations as tissues of lies.

“The governor believes in the neutrality of all arms of government, and is able to work with anyone. These allegations are wild, mischievous, and misleading. He is a  gentleman that would never dabble into the affairs of the Assembly in that manner. Please the public shoud disregard these lies and go about their business in the state”, he said.

Gangara is seen as an ardent loyalist of the Yakowa camp, and is said to have stood his grounds on bills and motions that tended to diminish the legacy of Yakowa.

Gangara escaped impeachment last August, when only 16 of the members went for his removal.