BY CHAMBERLAIN ODEY, JOS – Former Governor of Plateau State, Jonah Jang has threatened to storm the streets of Jos, the state capital to protest the “illegal impeachment of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Abok Ayuba”.
According to Jang, who is the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, he is ready to lead a protest march of the Plateau people against the “unfortunate happenings in the Plateau State House of Assembly in the last couple of days.”
Jang’s statement in Jos said; “having fought for democracy, as a member of NADECO and later the G-34, I am willing to lead a protest of Plateau people against the illegality that has been perpetrated at the Plateau House of Assembly”.
The statement further said; “The unfortunate happenings in the Plateau House of Assembly in the last couple of days call for not only the intervention of all well-meaning Plateau elders and stakeholders but people of goodwill who love the State and hold it dear to their hearts.
“We are indeed witnesses to the drama that has engulfed the State Assembly simply because a section of the Government wants the Speaker out at all costs. While it is unfortunate that these individuals have put their primordial sentiments above reason, and would do anything, including making a mockery of the Constitution, just to achieve their selfish ends, we cannot fold our arms as the efforts the Plateau people have put to sustain the fragile peace is made nonsense of.”
Acknowledging that “the removal of a speaker or change of leadership in legislative houses might not be new”, the retired Air Force Officer insisted that; “when the process is abused and goes against the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the people must work together to ensure the stability of the House which, in any case, is made up of those they voted to represent them and work for their welfare and in their best interests.”
He said though “the Executive has tried, albeit unconvincingly, to wash its hands off of the disgraceful events in the House of Assembly, the more the Governor and his handlers try to spin a story around the issue, the more glaring it becomes that the six members who staged an impeachment are only acting out a script for the Governor.
“Also, the hasty nature with which the Governor received the ‘new speaker’, knowing full well, being a lawyer, that what happened was an aberration, speaks volumes. Evidence has shown that the numbers required to carry the impeachment are not available to those desperate to remove the speaker, hence they have resorted to using undue force in pushing forth their agenda which is indeed not only unconstitutional but shameful”.
For the lawmaker, Plateau State is bigger than any individual, so the people’s rights and aspirations must not be trampled upon by a few individuals or groups that are only out to pursue their selfish interests in the corridors of power.
Jang urged Plateau youths to resist the temptation of taking laws into their hands as two wrongs can not make a right, adding; “the Governor must listen to the voice of reason and restore normalcy in the Plateau State House of Assembly.
“The crisis bedeviling the Assembly has a way of spiraling to affect the lacklustre performance of the government which has already failed in discharging its responsibility to Plateau citizens. The interests of a few must not, therefore, be allowed to shatter the hopes of millions of Plateau people who deserve better.
“It is on this premise that I call on Plateau elders to rise up to the occasion by prevailing on the Governor, Barrister Simon Bako Lalong, to demonstrate leadership for once by allowing the Honourable Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly to decide who their leaders are.”
The former governor further maintained that; “Even if the Speaker were to be impeached, members of the House should be allowed to so decide”, adding; “Arm-twisting the Assembly with a few members will further derail the government of the day as it staggers toward a directionless route.”
