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Lawmakers Walk Out Of Chamber Over Governor’s Letter

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Simon Lalong Re-elected As APC Wins Plateau (Full Results)
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Legislators Disagree Over Governor’s Request

A section of lawmakers in Plateau State House of Assembly on Wednesday staged a walkout over a letter sent in by the Governor, Simon Lalong.

Naija News gathered the controversy started when the Speaker of the State Assembly read a memo sent to the legislators by the Governor, requesting their approval for the appointment of new Management Committee in four local governments.

The letter was said to have caused disagreement between the lawmakers as the PDP legislators were unwilling to agree with their APC colleagues on the Governor’s request.

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The ensuing saga forced the lawmakers to adjourn plenary unceremoniously in order to avoid violent clash among members.

The PDP members who are the minority in the house were of the opinion that Governor Lalong’s request contradicted Section 7, subsection (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution which allows for democratically elected Local Government chairmen at the LGA level.

They, therefore, opposed the move by the Governor, describing it a “rape on democracy” and an attempt by the Governor to deny the people an opportunity to choose their leaders as expected in a democratic setting.

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However, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Ayuba Abok and all the APC members in the house supported and insisted the House should approve the executive memo.

This made the PDP members to walkout from the chambers in protest.

Addressing journalists after the incident, Minority leader of the House and member representing Barkin Ladi Constituency, Hon. Peter Gyendeng accompanied by all the PDP members said approving the Governor’s request is undemocratic and equal to supporting dictatorship.

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“We the PDP members want to make it clear that anything short of the rule of law and due process from the APC led government in this regard will not only be vehemently rejected but will be fought to a standstill.”

Despite the protest, Naija News understands the management committee has been inaugurated at the Banquet Hall of government house, Rayfield – Jos by Gov Lalong.