ETIM EFFIONG
Police have sealed the Plateau State House of Assembly following the leadership crisis that engulfed the legislature as two different factions laid claims to the seat of the Speaker.
It was gathered that the two lawmakers laying claims to the speaker’s seat are Sanda Yakubu (Pengana Constituency) and Abok Ayuba (Jos East Constituency).
After sealing the Assembly premises on Wednesday, security operatives said to be acting based on the instructions of the AIG in charge of Zone 4 comprising Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa state commands, Mustapha Dandaura, denied both factions access to the complex.
A source said the move was to prevent any breakdown of law and order in the state.
“The AIG visited Jos yesterday (Tuesday) for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. In his wisdom, he said the best thing to do for now is to seal off the Assembly until further notice,” it stated.
Also, the lawmaker representing Riyom Constituency in the state Assembly, Timothy Dantong, said they were aware the order was given by the AIG to curb any crisis.
He added that the police chief was expected to mediate between the two factions with a view to reaching an amicable resolution.
He said, “The impression they have is that we are having a crisis. So, they (police) decided to come and seal the Assembly complex.
“We are aware that the AIG gave the order that none of the factions should come into the Assembly complex for now until everything is sorted out.
“We are also aware that he is going to mediate in the matter and have a meeting with us to hear the grievances and see if we can resolve the matter before the normal plenary will start again to avoid any crisis.
“We are aware that he has visited Government House, but we didn’t see him visiting us. So, we waited, and we are still waiting up till this morning (Wednesday) without seeing anybody. All we are saying is that we cannot allow illegality at the Plateau State House of Assembly on who becomes the Speaker.”
Recall lawmakers in the Plateau State House of Assembly had impeached the Speaker, Hon. Abok Ayuba Nuhu.
Nuhu, following his impeachment last Thursday, was replaced with Sanda Yakubu, who hails from Pingana constituency of Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
But as the drama continued, six members of the Plateau State House of Assembly have been suspended for allegedly spearheading the impeachment of Abok Ayuba Nuhu as the Speaker.
Presiding over a plenary at the Zawan Community Association Hall in Jos, Nuhu rejected his removal as the Speaker of the House, saying that the plan will not stand.