The lingering crisis within the Plateau State House of Assembly continues as the Plateau chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejects the recent inauguration of only nine out of the 16 elected members of the Assembly.
APC Chairman in Plateau, Honorable Rufus Bature, denounced the swearing-in of the nine lawmakers, labeling it as a democratic anomaly that cannot be upheld. Speaking to journalists following the inauguration at the Old Government House in Jos on Friday, Bature expressed his dismay, stating, “I received it as a shocking development for the Plateau Governor Barr Caleb Mutfwang to compel nine APC state lawmakers to succumb to the swearing-in ceremony that only represented flagrant abuse of democratic tenets and principles.”
The nine members who were sworn in include Honorable Yusuf Dickson Chollom of Barkin Ladi constituency, Honorable Abdul Adamu of Mangu North, Daniel Nanbol Lipstick of Langtang North Central, Honorable Denti Laven Jacob of Pankshin South, Honorable Abel Nansak of Langtang North, Honorable Bendel Nanchuat of Langtang South, Honorable Wallangko Sylvester Ibrahim of Bokkos, Kwarpo Mathew Sylvanus of Mangu South, and Honorable Eli Bako Ankala Rukuba. Ankala Isa Madaki Ajiji, representing Jos East, was elected as Deputy Speaker.
Bature reiterated the APC’s stance that the remaining seven lawmakers must also be sworn in to complete the total of 16. He emphasized, “In the face of this undemocratic and unconstitutional development, I made two strong demands: that all the 16 APC lawmakers must be sworn in. Secondly, all the 17 elected local government chairmen must be returned to their seats to function as democratically elected LGA chairmen. This is because the Supreme Court has already declared their dissolution from office as null and void.”
Appealing to the conscience of the public, Bature urged the Speaker and Governor Caleb Mutfwang to uphold democratic principles and ensure the smooth functioning of all democratic structures without hindrance.
However, Speaker Gabriel Dewan defended the inauguration of the nine lawmakers, stating, “There is no saga in this House, and for those who believe there is a saga, all what we are waiting for is for the due process to be followed. I was called that nine members have met the criteria, and I have done my part by inaugurating them.”
