Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, on Wednesday received members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Plateau State Chapter, who staged a peaceful protest at the Assembly Complex over the worsening security situation in the country.
Addressing the protesting workers, the Speaker stated that the Tenth Plateau State House of Assembly under his leadership stands in full solidarity with the NLC and Nigerian workers in their legitimate demand for improved security and protection of lives and property.
Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel appealed to the NLC to intensify pressure on the National Assembly to urgently advance the bill on the creation of State Police, noting that security remains on the Exclusive Legislative List and continues to limit proactive responses by sub-national governments emphasizing that he has consistently been an advocate of State Police as a sustainable solution to insecurity.
Philip Eplong, Press Secretary to the Speaker said the speaker assured the protesters that the struggle for a safer Nigeria is a collective one, stressing that the Plateau State House of Assembly remains united with workers and citizens in the quest to end insecurity across the country.
He further informed the NLC that Plateau State already has a law prohibiting land grabbing, but noted that the major challenge lies in enforcement, as he attributed the limitation to the constitutional structure that places security solely under federal control.
While commending Nigerian workers for their patience, resilience, and sacrifices, the Speaker disclosed that the Tenth Assembly has repeatedly drawn the attention of the Federal Government to the nation’s security challenges through motions and resolutions.
He assured that the Assembly will not relent, pledging to take the matter to the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures for broader national engagement and collaboration.
Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Plateau State Chapter, Comrade Eugene Manji, called on the State House of Assembly to lend its voice in urging the Federal Government to urgently deploy the full machinery of governance to reclaim affected communities, protect workers, and restore public confidence in the nation’s security architecture.
Comrade Manji also demanded the arrest and prosecution of individuals found to be sponsoring insecurity across the country and expressed appreciation to the Speaker for making time to receive and engage the protesting workers.