The ongoing political strife between the ruling People Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) in Plateau state has escalated, with the APC claiming that the ruling party is orchestrating a constitutional conflict within the state legislature.
The APC alleges that the PDP is intentionally plotting to foment internal strife among state Assembly members before the government is handed over to the APC.
In a statement signed by the state publicity secretary of APC, Hon Sylvanus Namang said: “In order to execute this toxic and ill-motivated script by the Governor, as soon as he was sworn-in yesterday, the “new speaker.
“From every indication, the governor is spoiling for a war with the very likely incoming APC-led government as his action is clearly designed to operate a parallel legislature in the same manner he is operating an illegal Transmission Implementation Committee with appointed Chairmen who operate in guest houses and hotel rooms, thus flouting with impunity the Inspector General of Police directive ordering the reopening of LGA secretariats for the 17 elected Chairmen and 325 councilors to operate.
“This onslaught and legislative impunity has put paid to the speculations about the grand design by Governor Mutfwang to stall the inauguration and swearing in of the new Members returned by the Court of Appeal, which is to be effected next week.
“It is instructive to note that going by the Appeal Court judgments, the APC would have an overwhelming majority of 22 Members out of 24 Members in the Plateau State House of Assembly while the YPP and Labour Party (LP) would have one member each.
“This invidious move is a clear invitation to crises as by next week, in line with the Appeal Court judgments, all the 16 PDP members would cease to be members of the Plateau State House of Assembly.
“This, therefore, implies that the 22 APC Members are expected to operate under a one-man riot gang as “Speaker” for the two months because even when the House is on recess, legislative functions would take place under oversight functions.
He said: “It leaves us in no doubt that, as he has done in the case of the illegal TIC, he would continue to equally illegally operate with the sacked House of Assembly members in his remaining days in office.
“While we regard the Government-instigated action playing out at the Plateau State House of Assembly as a mere circus and theatrical show, we are compelled to once again advise Governor Caleb Mutfwang and his bedfellows to desist from truncating the tenets of democracy and to also make a detour from further overheating the polity for the sake of Plateau State.
“We have particularly noted with dismay, his misadventures sponsored and contemptuous protests, especially against the Judiciary over its landmark decisions on the petitions before it which have taken its toll on the finances of the state.”
APC therefore urged Gov Mutfwang to, in line with the oath of office he took, defend and protect the interest of the people of Plateau state and uphold its most cherished heritage of proud Home of Peace and Tourism instead of breaching the palpable peace and further plunging it into more avoidable crises.