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- I have a court injunction, says speaker
From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
There was drama at the old Government House, venue of the sitting of the Plateau State House of Assembly as the Speaker, Gabriel Dewan, said that for now only eight members will be allowed to resume legislative duties.
The House had resumed following a long recess after the Court of Appeal had sacked 16 members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The members could not resume at the House of Assembly because it has been under renovation.
The sitting was only brief, but the speaker Who spoke to newsmen said that at present there are 32 members laying claim to the suit.
According to him, since the 32 members had their certificates of return and laying claim to their mandates, it would be unlawful to admit them into the chambers.
Moreover he said that he has a court injunction restraining him from inaugurating the APC members.
He said, “For now only eight members will be sitting. I have a court injunction restraining the House from inaugurating the 16 APC members. Yes they have their certificates of return issued to them by INEC, but they can’t be inaugurated until the final determination or vacation of the injunction.
He did not however disclose who instituted the suit.
Indeed the atmosphere at Government House venue of the sitting was intense as the PDP lawmakers who had arrived for the day’s sitting as they vowed to do, stayed outside the gate with their supporters.
However at a point the smell of tear gas rented the air, our correspondent gathered that it was not deliberate as the tear gas went off from one the policemen in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
As at the time of writing, the police had taken over the environment, while the eight lawmakers drove off in a white bus followed by escorts towards the direction of the Government House at Little Rayfield.
