Tag: Plateau Assembly

The Plateau State House of Assembly has stopped the compulsory yearly purchase of textbooks imposed on parents by schools across the state.

The Assembly said textbooks could be reused among pupils, including siblings, to reduce hardship families currently face.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Joseph Bukar, representing Shendam Constituency, and seconded by Mathew Kwarpo Sylvanus, representing Mangu South, during plenary.

Presenting the motion, Bukar said the practice of compelling parents to buy new textbooks every academic session was exploitative and unfair.

The lawmaker stressed that parents across the state were not seeking luxury but fairness and relief.

He noted that adopting a sustainable textbook policy will make education more affordable.

A statement by the Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Philip Eplong, noted that after extensive deliberations, the lawmakers resolved that parents should be allowed the freedom to re-use textbooks and buy new ones from sources outside the schools, as they prefer.

 They also agreed that a four-year textbook cycle be adopted, where approved textbooks remain in use for at least four academic sessions, as practised in other states like Edo and Imo.

The Plateau House of Assembly urged the parents-teachers’ associations and schools to establish book banks and swap schemes to help families cut costs while promoting responsible re-use.

Also, the Assembly condemned the growing trend of yearly graduation ceremonies in nursery and primary schools.

The lawmakers described the trend as wasteful and unnecessary.

They argued that such ceremonies place avoidable financial burdens on parents without adding academic value, and must, therefore, be stopped.

Read Also: Tinubu committed to diversifying economy, Shettima assures

To ensure compliance, the House of Assembly directed its Committee on Education to summon heads of private schools alongside officials of the Ministry of Education to communicate the resolutions of the Assembly to them.

The lawmakers warned that any school found violating the directive would face heavy sanctions.

Also at plenary, the Assembly deliberated on a motion raised by Gabriel Dewan, representing Pankshin North, calling for urgent regulation of unauthorised rent agents in the state.

Members condemned the exploitative tendencies that arose from such practice, including illegal and exorbitant charges, and resolved to prohibit such activities by introducing a licensing system and repealing the outdated Rent Edict.

Speaker Na’anlong Daniel praised his colleagues for their sacrifice and robust contributions during deliberations.

He assured the people of the state that the Assembly remained committed to legislations and resolutions that would bring relief and development to them.

…Dewan resigns as speaker

The Plateau State House of Assembly has elected Hon. Nanloong Daniel as its new speaker following the resignation of Hon. Gabriel Dewan.

Daniel, who represents Mikang State Constituency and served as Majority Leader in the 9th Assembly, was unanimously elected by his colleagues during an emergency sitting held on Wednesday at the temporary Assembly Complex, located at the Old Government House in Jos.

Read Also: Plateau Assembly reduces tenure of council officials

The emergency session, presided over by Deputy Speaker Hon. Gwotta Ajang, was convened shortly after a closed-door meeting involving Governor Caleb Mutfwang, former Speaker Dewan, and other lawmakers, aimed at resolving political tensions in the state.

Dewan, the only member of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the 24-member legislature, stepped down amid ongoing efforts to stabilise the state’s political environment.

His resignation paved the way for Daniel’s emergence as a consensus candidate.

The Assembly is expected to continue deliberations in the coming days to address outstanding legislative and governance matters.

The Plateau House of Assembly has approved a reduction in the tenure of elected local government officials from three years to two. 

This change aligns with the amended Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) Law of 2024.

Speaking to reporters in Jos , Matthew Kwarpo, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, explained that the decision was influenced by the recent financial autonomy granted to local governments across the country. 

The amendment was introduced after careful consideration of a bill sponsored by Joseph Gokum (APC/Kanke Constituency), which sought to revise the 2017 Local Government Councils Law.

“The specific clause amended relates to the tenure of elected local government officials,” Kwarpo stated. 

“Previously, chairmen, deputy chairmen, and councillors were expected to serve for three years. The amendment now limits their tenure to two years,” he said. 

Kwarpo further explained that the decision to reduce the tenure was to allow for a more cautious implementation of the newly granted financial autonomy.

 “It’s wise to start with a shorter tenure of two years to observe how the financial autonomy impacts local governance. 

Read Also: a significant landmark in the Nigerian film industry

“Extending the tenure to four years in a pilot scheme with potential challenges could make it difficult to address issues effectively,” he added.

The Assembly emphasised its authority to legislate on local government matters and to conduct necessary oversight functions. 

Kwarpo assured the public that the amendment was made in the best interest of the state, not for any narrow or self-serving purposes.

The reduction in tenure is intended to enhance oversight and adaptability as local governments navigate the new financial landscape.

The House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 11, resolved to intervene in the crisis in the Plateau state House of Assembly leading to the non-swearing of some members-elect until they subscribe to certain conditions.

The Court of Appeal has declared that some members of the Plateau State House of Assembly were not properly nominated for the 2023 general elections and were notified of their election while declaring the petitioners as the winners of the election.

However, following the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case involving the state governor, the members were not sworn in, while the PDP said they were seeking a judicial interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment.

Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, the House asked its leadership to intervene in the matter to resolve the dispute abs ensure the lawmakers are sworn in.

Read Also: 16 excluded Plateau Assembly APC lawmakers seek President’s intervention

Wase drew the attention of the House to the Court of Appeal hearing arising from judgments of the Plateau State Election Tribunal resulting in the nullification of Certificates of Return of 16 sitting members of the Plateau State House of Assembly and ordered the issuance of new Certificates of Return to the new Members by the Independent National Electoral Commission

He said that pursuant to the Provisions of Section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, the Independent National Electoral Commission issued Certificates of Return to the new Members in compliance with the order of the Appeal Court and the Law.

He said that Section 94 (1) of the 1999 Constitution provides the procedure for the swearing-in of newly elected Members of a State House of Assembly.

He said the members elected of the Plateau State House of Assembly have met all the requirements of the law, as contained in section 94 (1) of the Constitution and section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

He however expressed concern that the remaining members-elect of the Plateau State House of Assembly are being compelled by–the–Speaker to submit letters of resignation accompanied by court affidavits as a condition for their swearing-in, thereby undermining the principles of democracy, especially at a time when Nigeria is celebrating 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.

He argued that the current situation, where some of the new Members were selected and sworn in by the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly while others have not been sworn in, contradicts the principles of fairness and justice that our electoral laws seek to uphold.

He said further that failure to address the delays or biases in the swearing-in of these new Members Elect is a total denial of the voices of other constituencies in Plateau State undermines our commitment to justice, fairness, and the principles of democracy, and poses a threat to security in the state.

The Federal High Court (FHC), Jos Division, yesterday refused to grant a request by the  Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Plateau State to stop the inauguration of 16 All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates as  House of Assembly members.   

The 16 APC candidates are beneficiaries of the Court of Appeal judgment which wrongly sacked the eight PDP elected members over an intra-party affair.

The court presided over by Justice V D. Agishi held that it would not be right for it to accede to the request because of the peculiarity of the case.

The court consequently ordered that the defendants be put on notice ahead of the mention of the case on February 26.  It directed that all parties be served through substituted means with the originating processes and all other processes.

The court also refused to grant the prayers of the PDP asking the Assembly and the Speaker not to recognise the Certificates of Return issued to the  APC lawmakers by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The PDP  had filed a motion ex parte praying to the court to grant an order restraining the Speaker from giving effect to the  Appeal Court judgment which sacked its eight lawmakers.  

The Speaker, Gabriel  Kudangbena, had on Monday insisted he would not recognise the 16  APC members yet.

Although the  APC candidates did not turn up during the first session of the Assembly after the Yuletide, the eight PDP members who did were denied access to the plenary. 

Read Also: PHOTOS: Security beefed up as Plateau Assembly members resume sitting

Speaker Kudangbena said he would only inaugurate the 16 members, following a clear interpretation of the Supreme Court judgment on the case that involved Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

Kudangbena said: “At present, there are 32 members laying claim to the seats.

“Since the 32 that have their certificates of return and are laying claim to their mandates, it would be unlawful to admit them into the chambers.

“For now, only eight members will be sitting. I have a court injunction restraining the House from inaugurating the 16 APC members.”

While the  PDP candidates could not go beyond the Court of Appeal after their sack, Mutfwang, whose election was also nullified, had it reversed by the Supreme Court.

Relying on the Supreme Court judgment, the 16 APC candidates threatened to sit as members of the Assembly.

But legal experts said such was impossible because they were not parties to the Supreme Court case.