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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The House of Representatives has resolved to urge the leadership of the National Assembly intervene in the crisis in Plateau State House of Assembly that has stalled the inauguration of seven members.
This followed the adoption of a motion by former deputy speaker of the House, Idris Wase, urging the Green Chamber to ensure the swearing-in of the lawmakers-elect in the “interest of equity, fairness and justice.”
Wase, in his motion, informed the House that the Court of Appeal in 2023 nullified the election of 16 members of the Plateau House of Assembly, and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue the new members certificate of returns.
He said INEC, in compliance with Section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022, issued certificates of return to the new members in accordance with the order of the Appeal Court.
“The members-elect of the Plateau State House of Assembly have met all the requirements of the law, as contained in Section 94 (1) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022
“The remaining members-elect are being compelled by the Speaker to submit letters of resignation accompanied by court affidavits as a condition for their swearing-in.
“This act undermines the principles of democracy, especially at a time when Nigeria is celebrating 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
“The current situation, where some of the new members were selected and sworn-in by the speaker of the House of Assembly while others have not been sworn-in, contradicts the principles of fairness and justice that our electoral laws seek to uphold.”
“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 and undermines our commitment to justice, fairness, and the principles of democracy and poised a threat to security in the state,” Wase said.
