Lawmaker Decries Failure To Swear In Members Elect In Plateau

The Leadership of National Assembly has been urged to intervene in the Plateau State House of Assembly crisis where some elected members have been refused to be sworn in.

In an urgent motion of public importance by the member representing Wase Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Mr. Ahmed Idris, the House noted that denial to swear in the affected members elect is a threat to the security of the State and undermines the nation’s democratic system.

Mr. Idris, in his motion, explained that in 2023, the Court of Appeal in its judgement of the Plateau State House of Assembly Election Tribunal, made decisions which resulted in the nullification of Certificates of Return of 16 sitting members of the Plateau State House of Assembly and ordered the issuance of new Certificates of Return to the new Members by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC which the Electoral Body duly complied with.

According to the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Members-Elect of the Plateau State House of Assembly are being compelled by the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly to submit letters of resignation accompanied by court affidavits as a condition for their swearing-in.

“The current situation, where some of the new Members were selected and sworn-in by the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly while others have not been sworn-in, contradicts the principles of fairness and justice that our electoral laws seek to uphold”.

He said this act undermines the principles of democracy, especially at a time when Nigeria is celebrating 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.

Mr. Idris further emphasized that failure to address the delay in the swearing-in of these new Members Elect is total denial of the voices of other constituencies in Plateau State and undermines the nation’s commitment to justice, fairness, and the principles of democracy and poised a threat to security in the State.

Adopting the motion, the House referred the matter to relevant committees for further legislative action.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji