Amid a backdrop of uncertainty, the Plateau State Assembly finds itself embroiled in controversy as seven All Progressive Congress (APC) lawmakers remain unsworn by Speaker Gabriel Dewan, according to a report by Daily Trust.
Following a protracted crisis, Speaker Dewan, the sole member of the Young Peoples Party (YPP) in the Assembly, recently administered oaths to nine out of the 16 APC and Labour Party lawmakers, effectively ending a long-standing deadlock. This dispute stemmed from the dismissal of 16 PDP lawmakers by the Appeal Court, subsequently replaced by 15 APC members and one LP member who emerged victorious in their place.
Upon the Assembly’s reconvening in January after a two-month hiatus, the Speaker cited two court injunctions as grounds for withholding the lawmakers’ swearing-in, particularly as ousted PDP legislators sought to reclaim their seats. However, following mounting pressure and clandestine negotiations, Dewan opted to inaugurate nine lawmakers, igniting fresh controversy over the selection process.
In defense of his actions, Speaker Dewan asserted that the nine inaugurated members (eight APC and one LP) met the necessary criteria for induction, pledging to induct the remaining seven upon their compliance with identical standards.
Nevertheless, APC State Chairman Rufus Bature alleged that the nine lawmakers were inducted under duress, alleging coercion to sign undated resignation forms. Bature maintained that those acceding to these terms were sworn in, facing enforcement of their resignations should they deviate.
Sources within the Assembly revealed that the nine lawmakers were contemplating defecting to the ruling PDP in the state, purportedly as part of preconditions for their induction. These arrangements, allegedly brokered between Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the lawmakers, seek to bolster PDP’s presence in the assembly following its loss of all seats at the Court of Appeal.
Daniel Naanlong, one of the seven awaiting induction, refused to sign the undated resignation form, asserting fulfillment of all statutory requirements for inauguration. Naanlong emphasized that possessing a certificate of return and an asset declaration from the Code of Conduct Bureau suffice for induction, challenging the Speaker’s stance.
Despite numerous attempts to reach out, Deputy Speaker Isa Madaki, among the recently sworn-in APC lawmakers, remained unreachable for comment on their prospective defection.
In response to these developments, Plateau South PDP Zonal Chairman Simon Domle acknowledged the APC lawmakers’ intention to join their ranks, subject to further deliberation at the party level.
Acting APC State Publicity Secretary Shittu Bamaiyi maintained the necessity for the seven lawmakers’ induction, citing the Court of Appeal’s verdict in their favor as grounds for their immediate swearing-in.