Police to Plateau lawmakers: We’ll open Assembly if you resolve crisis

The Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 4, Mr. Mustapha Dandaura, on Friday met with members of the Plateau State House of Assembly.

The AIG insisted that the assembly complex would only be opened when members have come together to resolve the lingering problem.

The meeting had 23 of the 24 members of the assembly in attendance.

Crisis had rocked the assembly when eight of the 24 members impeached its Speaker, Mr. Ayuba Abok, and elected Mr. Yakubu Sanda as the new Speaker.

But Abok and 11 other colleagues rejected the move and described the impeachment as “illegal”, insisting that he remains the substantive Speaker.

The fracas has thrown the state into serious political confusion, as the situation compelled the Police to seal the assembly complex.

Dandaura, who spoke shortly after the meeting in Jos, said he called the meeting in order to sue for peace.

According to him, the meeting has provided opportunity for members to once again meet as one family as they used to be.

“I have called for this meeting in order to appeal to the honourable members of the Plateau State House of Assembly to give peace a chance.

“We need to sit together and address all the issues because the earlier the members come together the better for us.

“I’m optimistic that today’s meeting will soon yield positive results. Members are meeting together for the first time since the problem started.

“So, I urge them to begin to consult each other to come up with a solution,” he said.

Also speaking after the meeting, Abok thanked the AIG for organising the meeting, which, he said, was intended at making peace.

He, however, said due process was not followed in his impeachment, insisting that the right thing must be done.

“From all indications due process was not followed and all we are saying is that the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should be respected,” he said.

Similarly, Sanda also commended the police chief for organising the meeting, adding that he would do anything to promote peace in the state.

He, however, insisted that he remains the substantive speaker of the assembly and called on his colleagues siding with Abok to support him for the good of all.

“The meeting was wonderful and we respect the AIG for calling us together today to meet.

“We are for peace because no meaningful development can take place without peace.

“But the status quo remains; I’m the speaker of the 9th assembly in Plateau. If my other colleagues are ready, they should come and together we shall work for the greater good of Plateau people,” he said.

Sanda further said that the happenings had not stopped them from carrying out their legislative functions.