Again, palpable fear and tension enveloped the premises of the Plateau State House of Assembly, as the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies took charge and sealed off the complex, following renewed power tussle between two members of the Assembly, who are laying claims to the Speakership.
Yakubu Sanda was recognized as the Speaker until Monday, when a high court in the state, declared that the hitherto impeached Speaker, Abok Ayuba, is the authentic Speaker of the House, being illegally removed from office.
On Tuesday, Ayuba held a plenary with some of the members as the Sanda faction obtained a stay of execution order and also appealed against the Monday reinstatement of Ayuba.
Early Wednesday morning, the two speakers were billed to hold plenary, thereby, raising tension.
But the security agents intervened, with about 15 security vehicles deployed and stationed at strategic locations around the vicinity of the Assembly, while security personnel in uniform and mufti patrolled the area.
Vehicles were diverted from the entire area to other routes, as supporters of the two camps, who were preparing to occupy the House, could not do so.
The state Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, held a meeting with Ayuba and some members of the House Wednesday morning, but details of their discussion were not made known as at time of filing this report.
This political wrong place among these letters will no doubt, further polarize the political atmosphere in the state, coupled with the uncertainties created by the last gubernatorial election.
