The crisis rocking the Plateau State House of Assembly has escalated.
Yesterday, protesters stormed the premises to demand the reinstatement of purportedly removed Speaker Abok Ayuba.
To prevent a breakdown of law and order, security agents, led by Police Commissioner Edward Ebuka, whisked away the embattled speaker and 10 of his colleagues to an undisclosed destination.
Their supporters said their whereabouts were unknown.
‘New Speaker’ Yakubu Sanda, warned Ayuba to stop parading himself as speaker, saying that he had been removed and suspended.
There was commotion at the Assembly premises. Two groups of youths backing Ayuba and Sanda clashed.
A lawmaker, Timothy Danlong, said the 12 pro-Ayuba members will not leave the complex until the impeached speaker is reinstated.
He said: We are not leaving the House because this is where our immunity lies and we shall continue to stay until Ayuba is brought back.”
Governor Simon Lalong, who has recognised Sanda as Speaker, held a meeting with pro-and anti-Ayuba lawmakers yesterday.
The Plateau Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC), described the occupation by 11 lawmakers of the chambers of the House of Assembly as illegal and an invasion.
Its Publicity Secretary, Sylvanus Namang said the action of these lawmakers at midnight, apart from sending very wrong and dangerous signals, underscored abuse and ignorance of the principle of legislative autonomy.
He advised Abok to forget “the embarrassing and blind desperation to reclaim the Speaker’s seat which he has since lost following his impeachment by his colleagues last week”.
A lawmaker, Zingtin Sohchang, who represents Langtang South Constituency, said: “We are now being bundled into four Hilux vehicles by security men to a yet-to-be ascertained place and if after 20 miniutes you call us and no response, you should know that we have been taken to an unknown place”
Read Also: Lalong washes hands of former Speaker Abok’s removal
Ayuba, when asked by reporters, whether he was under-arrest, replied: “ I can not say whether I am under at the moment.”
He urged President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in the crisis.
The Deputy Majority Leader, Philip Dasun, said Abok is the authentic Speaker.
He said: “We are only calling for attention from the governor of this state, to disregard any illegal speaker presented to him and authorise the legitimacy of the Speaker unanimously voted by 24 members of this assembly.
“We are calling on government to reinstate our speaker. He has been firm, he has been dogged and he stood for the people of Plateau.
“We are calling on the President of Nigeria. We are here in the hallowed chamber, the chamber that is sacred to us, a chamber the president respects at the National Assembly, we expect the governor to respect this chamber.
“Please, Mr President, intervene and salvage democracy in Nigeria.
But, Sanda threatened to declare Ayuba wanted for conduct inimical to the interest of the House.
Sanda also called on the security agencies to arrest him for parading a fake mace.
He said the House has set up two committees to investigate the former speaker for financial embezzlement and misappropriation.
Sanda said: “This House must take firm measures to forestall such occurrences from happening again, declaring that this house hereby suspends the 6 member with effects from 1st November 2021 till further notice.”
Those suspended are: Hon Nuhu Abok Ayuba – Jos East, Hon Henry Longs – Pankshine South, Hon Dangtong Timothy – Riyom, Hon Musa Agah – Rukuba/Iregwe, Hon Bala Fwanje – Mangu South and Hon Nambol Listic – Langtang North.
He called on the security agencies to take charge of the House and ensure that the suspended members are denied access.