Coalition of Nongovernmental Organizations and Civil Society in Plateau State have described as coup against democracy the Thursday morning purported impeachment of the Speaker of the Plateau State 9th Assembly, Abok Ayuba.
Acting President of the coalition, Rev. Chris Damcher described as shameful and unacceptable the said impeachment as he called on traditional rulers in the state to speak out for the interest of justice and peace in the state.
Rev. Damcher also said “it’s quite disgraceful and shameful for a country like Nigeria with a lot of learned people to entertain such kind of a primitive concept. To me, it is a democratic coup against the Speaker. Firstly, 6a.m is not an official working hour and secondly, the number involved is illegitimate when you compare to the total number of the members and those that did the purported impeachment.”
“It’s unacceptable that we will agree to go with this abnormality in this present day. Again, the Mace which is a symbol of authority was missing during the purported sitting.
The Coalition also noted with concern how governor Simon Lalong who is also a learned person upheld and accepted this abnormality and is identifying with the acclaimed new speaker, Yakubu Sanda.
“All of us on the Plateau must raise our voices to this illegitimate process, the traditional rulers cannot be there and be keeping quiet. As Civil Society, we will continue to raise our voices and until the whole world hears us” he added.
Similarly, the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network, Jos in a statement it Secretary, Comrade O.J. Afwanks also described the impeachment saga as an infraction and setback to the state.
“While many Plateau people have prayed, fasted and are working hard for a return of peace to the state after so many attacks in the recent past, we are again being taken aback the infraction and outright act of lawlessness in the Plateau State House of Assembly some dishonorable members.
“As peace promoters, we call upon the citizens to resist any form of law break and impunity people who are supposedly lawmakers and are supposed to uphold the sanctity of the rule of law.
“We call on all lovers of democracy, rule of law and peace to rise up against this unwholesome act and never again to allow impunity thrive in Plateau State in whatever form or guise” the statement read.
