The Plateau State Police Command has sealed off the state House of Assembly Complex to forestall a breakdown of law and order.
The move followed the reinstatement of the Assembly’s former speaker, Ayuba Abok by the state high court.
Officers from the state police command were stationed at the assembly entrance early on Wednesday, barring anyone, including staff, from entering the complex, in response to threats from warring factions to seize control of the Assembly building.
Bartholomew Onyeka, the state Commissioner of Police, met with the factions in an attempt to reach an amicable resolution to the crisis but has yet to issue a statement on the matter.
In the ruling reinstating Mr Abok, Justice Nafisat Musa had granted all of the claimants’ reliefs, and held that the impeachment of the Speaker (Abok) was unconstitutional and violated house rules.
Following his reinstatement by the court, Mr Abok appeared at the assembly complex and presided over a plenary session attended by eight members.
In a swift reaction, the state government appealed the high court judgment and obtained a stay of execution on the reinstatement order.
However, the reinstated speaker insisted on continuing as the presiding officer – an action that did not go down well with the substantive speaker and some members of the house as well as the state government. (RN)
