On Wednesday, Rt. Hon. Gabriel Dewan, the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, presided over the inauguration of the final five All Progressives Congress (APC) members who had been reinstated by the Court of Appeal in November 2023. This event marks a significant step in restoring full representation within the Assembly.
The Assembly had recently announced a recess but made the decision to convene in order to swear in the new members. This was done by invoking Order 5 of their rules, which allowed them to resume proceedings despite being on break. The swearing-in ceremony was an essential move to ensure that all constituencies in Plateau State are represented in the House.
The five members who took their oaths of office on Wednesday include:
- Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda, a former Speaker, representing Pengana in Bassa Local Government Area (LGA),
- Engr. Owen Dagogot, representing Quaan’pan North,
- Prof. Theodore Maiyaki, representing Quaan’pan South,
- Hon. Dalyop Gyang, representing Jos South, and
- Hon. Dachung Dadong, representing Riyom LGA.
In his address, Speaker Dewan congratulated the newly inaugurated members and expressed his pleasure that there are no more vacancies in the Assembly. He emphasized that every constituency is now fully represented, which he believes will lead to more effective governance.
Dewan noted that with a complete Assembly, there would be no excuses for any gaps in representation. He urged constituents to hold their representatives accountable if they feel their needs are not being met.
Dewan also highlighted the importance of unity within the Assembly. He stated that with all members now in place, the House would be able to speak with a single voice on issues concerning Plateau State. He mentioned that one of their priorities would be to advocate for a ministerial position for Plateau State, aiming to ensure that the state’s interests are well-represented at the national level.
Following the swearing-in ceremony, Prof. Theodore Maiyaki spoke to journalists, expressing his enthusiasm about contributing to the legislative process. He assured the public that the new members would bring added value to the Assembly’s work.
Maiyaki emphasized their commitment to addressing the basic needs of their respective constituencies and supporting government policies through legislative measures that complement executive efforts.
With the addition of these members, the Plateau State House of Assembly is now complete with a total of 24 members representing all 24 state constituencies.
The current composition includes 22 members from the APC, 1 from the Labour Party (LP), and 1 from the Young People’s Party (YPP). This diverse representation is expected to foster a more comprehensive and inclusive legislative process.
This swearing-in follows a significant ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja in November 2023, which invalidated the elections of 16 members from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) due to the party’s failure to have a valid nomination structure. The court’s decision has led to this important reshuffling and reinstatement of APC members.
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