Following the closure of 17 local government councils in Plateau by the Inspector General of Police, the State 10th Assembly has passed a vote of no confidence on the Plateau State Police commissioner, CP Bartholomew Onyeka.
Speaking on behalf of the Lawmakers at the State Assembly complex in Jos Thursday, member representing Bokkos state constituency, Hon.Ishaku Maren, said the IG’s action did not came to us as a surprise because of the trend of events that has happened in the state.
“It was very clear that the Court ruled that the then Executive Chairman of Langtang-North Local Council in person of Hon. Joshua Laven Ubandoma should be reinstated and the Police Commissioner Plateau State deliberately refuse to enforce such judgement.
“There was also a Court judgment that the then Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Nuhu Ayuba Abok should be reinstated as the Speaker in which the State Commissioner of Police again deliberately refuse to enforce such Court order and all that we could saw in the State was for the CP to order his men to sealed the House of Assembly Complex which was rather unfortunate.”
The Lawmakers maintained that the Police is supposed to protect lives and properties of the citizens and to give proper protection of constituted authority within the State. “But what we enjoyed in the state is the reversal, in which the Police to us instead of being neutral they begin to prove otherwise as if they’re partisan.
“Our position is properly informed that the IG doesn’t reside in Plateau State, it shows that he has been misinformed by the State Commissioner who is his representative here.”
They explained that the newly sworn-in Transition Management Committee Chairmen went to their respective Local Government and were received by mammoth crowd of citizens in those respective LGAs, only few had issues and they expected the Police to called the sacked Council Chairmen to order and dialogue with them he proceeded to closed the Secretariats.
The 10th Assembly maintains that as a matter of public importance, “call on the IG to reverse his directive and reopen the 17 Council Secretariats for smooth running.
“We are passing vote of no confidence on the Plateau State Commissioner of Police because of his actions that contravene the establishment of the Nigerian Police Force, he is partisan and we lost confidence in his actions.”
They called on citizens of the state to remained calm and law abiding.
Meanwhile, The Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has appealed to the peace loving citizens of Plateau State to remain calm over the lawful changes in the local government system in the state.
Recall the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Alkali Baba gave directive on the closure of all 17 Local Governments Secretariats of Plateau till further notice.
But Mutfwang in a press statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, in Jos Thursday appealed to citizens to remain calm and resist any form of provocation, as government is taking lawful steps to return the local government system to a sound footing for massive development at the grassroots.
He urged citizens in the state not to indulge in any unlawful activity that will undermine peace and security in the state.
The Governor reassured Plateau State citizens that security of lives and property remains the topmost priority of his administration as it is the foundation that gives birth to all forms of growth and development.
He noted that the task of building a united and secure Plateau is a collective one and government is making frantic efforts to address the current happenings at the local government level.
Following the sacking of 17 councils chairmen by the State Assembly and subsequent constitution of the interim transition committees chairmen by Governor Mutfwang, the situation has generated disagreement between PDP and APC in the state.
Plateau state commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew Onyeka,while addressing newsmen at the Commands’ headquarters in Jos Thursday, affirmed that the IGP directed that all the 17 local government council should remain sealed for now.
“And this action of the police is not targeted at any person, group or political party, but the essence of that is to avoid the breakdown of law and order.
“We urge the law abiding citizens of Plateau to go about their lawful businesses were solidly on ground to protect them.
“We warn all the criminals and criminal elements to steer clear the local government secretariats because any one that is found misbehaving or doing anything inimical to the corporate existence of the state would not be spared”, the CP warned.
Giving an update on the kidnapped seven students of University of Jos, CP Onyeka revealed that the command have already set out modalities to ensure the victims were rescue sound and healthy.
