Taraba Speaker Celebrates New Position in Conference of Nigeria Speakers
Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abel Peter Diah, had last Saturday rolled out the drums to celebrate his new position as the Deputy Chairman, Nigeria Speakers’ forum at his residence in Jalingo.
Rt. Hon. Abel Peter Dial, Speaker Taraba state House of Assembly
The celebration brought together people from all parts of Sardauna LGA, where he hails from, members of the Taraba State House of Assembly as well as prominent politicians and prominent sons and daughters of the State.
It could be recalled that Rt Hon. Diah was elected Deputy Chairman Nigeria Speakers’ Conference earlier this month in Lagos. The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly emerged as Chairman while Abel Diah from Taraba emerged deputy.
Diah whose impact is felt in the political history of the State is a leader that has created so much difference in the State House of Assembly and today remains the longest serving member in the Taraba State House of Assembly. Apart from that, he is known for his magnanimity, humanitarian gestures and a thoroughbred politician.
Speaking at the ceremony, the celebrant, Rt. Hon. Abel Peter Diah, said he returned praise to God almighty for every step he has climbed because God has been faithful and promised to keep doing his best to allow God perfect and direct his ways.
He thanked his colleagues saying that they had seen in him what many did not see and thereby elected him as a servant who will always be their messenger. Diah said his nomination was approved by the entire 36 States Assembly Speakers of Nigeria.
Diah also said something very amazing happened to him while in Lagos before the election. According to him, he couldn’t have been elected to the position considering the APC majority in the North but that he was chosen based on his experience and service to his father land.
Diah further said that Governor Ishaku came for the people of Mambilla because he came and fulfilled what they yearned by rewriting the wrongs of the past and giving them six chiefdoms
He urged those planning to contest for elective offices to allow the people speak and letting God to endorse. Diah also said he was in his house when Sardauna LG councilors presented to him money for his nomination form against 2019 urging him to do their bidding and not his bidding.
He ended by saying at age 26, he was already a council chairman hence, what more could he ask for than service to humanity. He therefore promised to work for the people and uphold the name of Taraba any day, anytime, anywhere .
In his words, the Deputy Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Hon Mohammed Gwampo, said Abel Diah, his boss, was a distinct leader who allowed people work freely in office and only redirects wrongs for right. He disclosed that the Mambilla people were lucky to have such a quality material as a leader and prayed that he keeps the good work going.
Barr GT Kataps, the Ngwi of Mambilla and former SSG of Taraba State said he was a happy man for God has his ways of doing things. According to him, in 1996 when he contested for Chairmanship of Sardauna LGA, Abel Peter Diah was already a Chairman. Kataps said Diah was “elected first time as Member, re-elected, re-elected, re-elected and re-elected again”.
He described Rt Hon Abel Diah as one who had outgrown Mbamnga constituency because his projects knew no bounds and cuts across the entire Sardauna LG and that God elevates whoever is patient and has the people at heart.
Kataps challenged everyone contesting for public offices to be like a plant planted by the river side who bears fruits in due season. GT also disclosed that for over 54 years, they had looked for the chiefdoms that were created of recent by Governor Darius Ishaku but to no avail until the coming of Darius and the house had no problems in passing the bill of liberation. He prayed that more elevation would come his way.
Dr. Alfred Yahya Kobiba who is the Special Adviser on SDG to the Taraba State Governor said Abel Diah had demonstrated that age is not the only index of wisdom, saying his ways and acts have shown that even older people can learn from him.