28th October, 2021
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has revealed the reasons Governor Simon Lalong militarised the Plateau House of Assembly and removed the speaker Abok Nuhu Ayuba.
In a statement released today, the group attributed Ayuba’s impeachment to his principled stance over the killings being perpetrated by Fulani terrorists.
It wondered if Lalong has not become a puppet of the Sokoto Caliphate.
HURIWA said: “The removal of the speaker who had championed the need for the Ethnic Christians who are the bonafide owners of Plateau State to be protected from persisted Fulani terrorists and genocides shows that the Plateau State Governor Mr Simon Lanlong is a puppet of the Sokoto caliphate.
“The impeachment is not unconnected with the recent ultimatum given to the governor by the hitherto vibrant and pro-people Parliament following incessant killings of helpless and defenceless citizens in the state with Bassa Local Government being the worst hit.”
According to HURIWA, the governor’s failure to address insecurity in the state and a possible impeachment led him to allegedly orchestrate the impeachment of the State Assembly’s Speaker.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko and National Media Affairs Officer, Miss Zainab Yusuf on Thursday, the group condemned the impeachment of Ayuba.
It called the impeachment illegal, unconstitutional and undemocratic as only eight out of the 24 member house supported the impeachment motion.
HURIWA criticised the militarisation of the assembly complex and the process of the impeachment of the speaker was carried out stating that it conflicted with the constitution.
“It is against the tenet of democracy to militarize a constitutional democratic assembly.
“The action of the minority conflicts with Section 92(c) of the Constitution specifying that a speaker can only be removed from office by a resolution of House of Assembly by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of the members of the House.
“Are these politicians in Jos so mathematically incapable of knowing that 8 is not the two-third majority in a House of 24 legislators?”