Plateau Assembly Sealed As Contending Parties Embark On Negotiations

The Plateau State House of Assembly complex has been sealed by security operatives as the two parties laying claim to the Speakership of the Legislature continue negotiations toward reaching a truce.

The Speaker of the assembly, Abok Ayuba, was on Oct. 27 impeached by 8 members of the assembly and Yakubu Sanda was elected as the new Speaker.

But Ayuba and members of the house loyal to him held a session outside the assembly complex the same day during which they suspended six of the members that impeached him, and declared him(Ayuba) as the authentic speaker of the house.

However, Ayuba and the lawmakers loyal to him gained access to his office and were holding an executive session preparatory for a sitting when some youths staged a protest in front of the assembly complex in support of Ayuba.

Heavy security was deployed to the assembly complex, with Plateau Commissioner of Police, Edward Egbuka and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps commandant, Alexander Barunde supervising.

Shortly after Ayuba with lawmakers loyal to him were escorted out of the complex by the security personnel, Sanda and those loyal to him came into the house, held a brief sitting and declared himself as the authentic speaker of the assembly.

Sanda promised to continue the sitting on Tuesday but that did not happen.

On Wednesday, reports disclosed that stern-looking security personnel were strategically positioned around the complex while security vehicles were also stationed at the gates.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Gabriel Ubah, said that he did not have information about the situation at the assembly.

“Give me some time let me call the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area to get the details. I will get back to you as soon as I have the information,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, House Committee on Information and Communication, Philip Dasun told NAN that the two contending parties were negotiating for a truce.

Dasun promised to speak to newsmen as soon as there was new information about the imbroglio.