Plateau Crisis: Police Disperse 16 Sacked PDP Lawmakers With Teargas

…As Speaker postponed swearing-in of APC lawmakers

Attempt by the 16 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the Plateau State House of Assembly who were sacked by the Court of Appeal to return to their seats on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 was met with stiff resistance by stern looking operatives of the Nigeria Police Force that dispersed them with teargas.

This was as the Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon Gabriel Dawang, declared that the House would not permit the sacked PDP members entry into chambers as they have entrusted the interpretation of the law to the judiciary. Dawang also said that in the same vein, the swearing-in of the APC lawmakers favoured by the judgement of the Court of Appeal has been deferred pending when the Courts would provide an interpretation of the Supreme Court decision on the matter.

The lawmakers had arrived at Rayfield Old Government House in Jos on Tuesday morning with their supporters preparatory to their resumption at plenary when they met stiff resistance from the Police operatives that have already taken position in strategic areas within the complex.

Following the confusion, the stern looking policemen and other security operatives took over the premises of the Government House and prevented the sacked lawmakers from going into the House of Assembly.

The lawmakers however, vowed that they would not leave the Assembly premises.

Meanwhile, the swearing-in of the APC members earlier scheduled to take place on Tuesday was put on hold following the confusion created as a result of the 16 PDP lawmakers sacked by the Court of Appeal in a bid to resume sitting as members of the House.

The Court of Appeal sacked PDP members of the House are however hinging their position and resolve on the verdict of the Supreme Court on the Governorship appeal on Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who sought that the judgement of the appellate court which sacked him from office be reversed. The Supreme Court in its judgement held that the Court of Appeal lacked the jurisdiction to determine the validity of the candidacy of the PDP and also held that the Tribunal had nothing to do whatsoever with the PDP’s power to conduct a primary election, as it did to nominate Governor Mutfwang as its candidate for the governorship election.

It was against this backdrop that the sacked 16 PDP members of the House resolved to continue their legislative duties.
Addressing the aggrieved lawmakers, the Speaker, who was supported by the Majority Leader of the House, urged them to await the court’s decision, adding that whatever the court decides will be adhered to.