Plateau impeachment saga: Speaker, 10 other lawmakers whisked to unknown destination

The crisis rocking Plateau State House of Assembly over the impeachment of its Speaker, Honourable Nuhu Abok Ayuba has taken another dimension as he and 10 other lawmakers were, on Monday, whisked to unknown destination by security operatives. 

Ayuba was impeached on Thursday by some members of the house, while others claimed that the process of the impeachment was unconstitutional and consequently suspended those behind the removal. 

The speaker and 11 other members of the House, on Monday, entered the chamber of the Assembly at about 6:00 am and proceeded to have a meeting at his office but other lawmakers loyal to the new speaker immediately mobilised to the assembly as well. 

A source said the prompt intervention of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Edward Ebuka and other heads of security operatives in the state, who quickly mobilised to the house, saved the situation from degenerating into fisticuffs among the 24 lawmakers. 

It was gathered that after a brief meeting, a delegation made up of eight members was dispatched to the Government House to meet with Governor Simon Lalong on the way out of the logjam, while the impeached speaker and some members remained in the house for a feedback. 

The atmosphere suddenly became tense when protesters on both sides of the divide brandishing weapons converged before security operatives disperse them with teargas. 

Nigerian Tribune further learnt that at about 3:01 pm, the commissioner of police led the lawmakers out of the chamber into waiting six Toyota Hilux vehicles belonging to security operatives in the state. 

Honourable ZingtinSohchang, member representing Langtang South, told news men that “We are now being bundled into four Hilux Vehicles by security men to a yetto-be ascertained place and if after 20 minutes; you call us and no response, you should know that we have been taken to an unknown place.” 

The speaker, when repeatedly asked by reporters, if he was under arrest, replied, “ I cannot say whether I am under at the moment.” 

As of press time, security operatives had taken over the assembly complex and directed workers to vacate the premises. 

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State has frowned on what it described as the unconstitutional role of the commissioner of police for allegedly acting under the directives of the Presidency through the governor to harass, intimidate and arrest 12 members of the assembly from carrying out their responsibilities. 

The party in a statement signed by the state publicity secretary, Mr John Akans, said the relocation of Ebukato the assembly was undemocratic.