Plateau Assembly Crisis: CSOs call for negotiation

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are calling for negotiations between opposing parties to end the deadlock that has halted legislative activities at the Plateau House of Assembly.

The CSOs are advocating for a political resolution to facilitate the resumption of lawmakers' full legislative responsibilities in the state's best interests.

Sixteen parliament members, who secured victories at the Appeal Court in November 2023, have yet to be sworn in.

While some attribute the delay to court injunctions, others speculate it's driven by political maneuvering.

Steve Aluko, chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), expressed concern that the delayed swearing-in of lawmakers is depriving the state of impactful legislation.

Aluko urged the involved parties to prioritize negotiations and reach a resolution beneficial to Plateau's welfare.

He noted the need for alternative dispute resolution methods over reliance on injunctions, asserting that any differences must align with the interests of Plateau residents.

Aluko highlighted the detrimental impact of the situation on governance, noting that the executive's effectiveness is hindered without an operational assembly."
“The time of politics has passed, and what the citizens are expecting are the dividends of democracy; this cannot be realised without a functional assembly.

“The logjam is not in the interest of democracy, and it is not for the betterment of Plateau because under the presidential system of government, every arm of government has legitimate function,” he explained.

Aluko pointed out that when it “comes to representing the people, the legislative arms stand stronger. When this is not in place or properly functioning, the quality of lobbying and others will be reduced, and the people will suffer.”

He said, “The Executive needs the legislative arms to do oversight functions, and in the absence of this, it will affect the quality of governance.

“For effective lawmaking, you cannot take 16 out of the 24 members of the state assembly and say the house of assembly is functioning well.”

Gad Shamaki, executive director of the Centre for Law Enforcement and Education (CLEEN) Foundation, said a political solution was the only way out of the logjam.

Shamaki said that leaders of political parties needed to meet and discuss how best to approach the issue.

He advised the stakeholders to give space for the system to run.