- Plateau State APC Chairman asserts the party won’t allow YPP lawmaker to serve as the House of Assembly Speaker
- APC, holding a majority in the assembly, insists on reconvening to swear in new lawmakers, rejecting the YPP speaker’s recess decision
The Plateau State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Rufus Bature, firmly stated that the APC will not permit the lone Young Progressives Congress (YPP) lawmaker, Gabriel Dewang, to serve as the speaker of the House of Assembly.
Following the Court of Appeal’s judgment that ousted all lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the APC now commands 22 out of the 24 seats in the house.
Bature expressed concern that the speaker, who emerged amidst controversies surrounding the appellate court’s decisions, should avoid being influenced to jeopardize his political career.
After the embattled speaker announced a two-month recess with the house scheduled to resume on January 23, the APC leadership rejected the decision. They insisted that the house should reconvene to swear in the new lawmakers, predominantly members of the APC.
Addressing whether the APC would allow Dewang to continue presiding over the assembly, Bature emphasized democratic principles. He stated, “In a democracy, the majority always has its way, and the minority will have their say too. Therefore, it would be ridiculous for a minority member, not even a minority leader, to lead the house because he does not have any other followership.”
Highlighting the broader interest of Plateau, Bature underscored that Plateau State’s welfare transcends the interests of any individual, reinforcing the APC’s stance against allowing the YPP lawmaker to lead the assembly.
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