House of Representatives to Intervene in Plateau State Assembly Crisis

The House of Representatives has resolved to intervene in the ongoing crisis in the Plateau State House of Assembly, which has led to the non-swearing-in of some members-elect. This action follows the Court of Appeal's declaration that certain members were not properly nominated for the 2023 general elections, and subsequent notification of their election while declaring the petitioners as the winners.

Despite this ruling, the affected members have not been sworn in, pending judicial interpretation of a Supreme Court judgment involving the state governor. Adopting a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by former deputy speaker Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, the House has called on its leadership to resolve the dispute and ensure the lawmakers are sworn in.

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Wase highlighted the Court of Appeal's judgment, which resulted in the nullification of Certificates of Return for 16 sitting members and the issuance of new Certificates of Return to the new members by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He emphasized that the new members-elect have fulfilled all legal requirements, as stipulated in Section 94 (1) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 72 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

However, Wase expressed concern that the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly is compelling the remaining members-elect to submit letters of resignation accompanied by court affidavits as a condition for their swearing-in. This, he argued, undermines democratic principles, especially as Nigeria celebrates 25 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.

The current situation, where some new members have been sworn in while others have not, contradicts the principles of fairness and justice. Wase warned that failure to address the delays or biases in the swearing-in process denies the voices of other constituencies in Plateau State, undermines justice and fairness, and poses a threat to security in the state.