The Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Gabriel Dewan, has officially administered the oath of office to the remaining five members of the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC).
Naija News understands that the legislators were among the 15 APC members and one Labour Party member who were recognized as winners by the Appeal Court in November of the previous year.
The newly sworn-in legislators include Owen Dagogot (representing Qua’an-Pan North constituency), Theodore Maiyaki (representing Qua’an-Pan South constituency), Yakubu Sanda (representing Pengana constituency), Dachung Dadon (representing Riyom constituency), and Dalyop Gyang (representing Shendam South constituency).
This ceremony occurred during a plenary session on Wednesday at the old government house.
It could be recalled that on April 5, the speaker had previously sworn in nine members after they signed undated resignation letters.
However, the remaining seven lawmakers-elect claimed they were not sworn in due to their refusal to sign such letters, although two of them were sworn in separately last week.
In response to the prolonged delay, former governor Simon Lalong and other party members expressed strong discontent regarding the speaker’s refusal to administer the oath to their members, accusing him of following the directives of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, a claim that the state government has denied.
In light of these events, the acting spokesperson for the state APC, Shittu Bamaiyi, stated that the speaker has effectively denied the constituencies of the affected members their constitutional right to representation for nearly eight months.
“Be that as it may, with the swearing-in today (Wednesday) of the remaining members, it is now a full House, with all the compliments of a legislature. The APC and its esteemed supporters are proud to present this calibre of legislators and as such, expect quality, robust as well as valuable deliberations in the now new, improved House,” he said.
The Plateau State House of Assembly now comprises 24 members; 22 from the APC, one from the Labour Party and the Speaker from the Young People’s Party (YPP).