Plateau Assembly crisis: MBJF calls for calm
By JOHN ONAH, Abuja –
The Middle Belt Journalists Forum (MBJF) has appealed for calm and the return to democratic norms in the Plateau State House of Assembly.
The MBJF made the appeal on Wednesday in a press statement signed by its President, Jonathan IPAA and National Secretary, Mrs Oikeke Igado-Kure in Abuja.
The media pressure group also condemned the impeachment of the Plateau State House Speaker, Hon. Ayuba Abok and replacement with a new leadership by six out of the twenty four state lawmakers, saying, that Plateau State can not afford further escalation of any crisis.
The Middle Belt Journalists Forum discribed the impeachment as a legislative coup, but urged Plateau State elders to intervene by restoring peace back to the House of Assembly.
“We see the crisis as a continue desecration of democracy in Plateau which is another ploy to deny Plateau people their legitimate democratic rights in the name of internal party interest while the larger majorities remain in the trenches.
“We appeal to Plateau elders to as a matter of urgency, intervene against this legislative coup.
“Consequently, we call on the House of Representatives to immediately take over the affairs of Plateau State House of Assembly pending when permenant peace will be restored.”
“The people of Plateau state must not be allowed to suffer further crisis having gone through subjective communal crisis.
“We also appeal to the Government of His Excellency, Simon Bako Lalong to play safe with the fragile issue by allowing democratic norms to reign through the expression of the majority, no matter what their political differences or interests.”