Why police sealed off House Complex
There was tension yesterday within the premises of Plateau State House of Assembly, as two Speakers planned to hold a plenary.
It would be recalled that there is a renewed power tussle between two members of the Assembly, who are laying claim to the Speakership seat.
Yakubu Sanda had been recognised as the Speaker until Monday when a court in the state declared that the hitherto impeached Abok Ayuba is the authentic Speaker of the House, having been illegally removed from office.
Ayuba, on Tuesday, held a plenary with some of the members as the Sanda faction obtained a stay of execution order and also appealed against Monday’s reinstatement of Ayuba.
Meanwhile, the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies, yesterday, sealed off the Assembly complex.
No fewer than 15 security vehicles were deployed and stationed in 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’s Commissioner of Police, Bartholomew Onyeka, held a meeting with Ayuba and some members of the House.
Also, the Command’s Spokesperson, DSP Alfred Alabo, said that the seal-off of the Assembly was to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
Alabo said that they learnt that supporters of politicians were coming to protest and that the police move was to ensure that peace is maintained.
“If the politicians’ supporters come around, it is going to affect traffic, and it may lead to breakdown of law and order.
“To save lives and property, we took that action so that we can control security arrangements within the Plateau State House of Assembly area.
“If nothing happens, the security move will be relaxed and everything will return to normal,” he said.
