By Fawaz Adebisi
A fresh political crisis is brewing in Plateau State as 16 members of the state House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were teargassed by the police on Tuesday.
It was gathered that the lawmakers, who were sacked by the Court of Appeal on the ground that their party lacked structure to sponsor candidates in the last general elections, insisted on resuming their legislative duties despite the court verdicts.
The lawmakers claimed that the Supreme Court judgment, which validated the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, had also qualified them to remain members of the Assembly.
They said they were validly elected by the majority of votes in their respective constituencies and that their constituents were ready to back them up.
However, their attempt to resume plenary was met with stiff resistance from the police and other security agencies, who cordoned off the Rayfield Old Government House in Jos, where the House of Assembly chambers are located.
The police fired tear gas canisters to disperse the lawmakers and their supporters, who refused to vacate the premises.
The situation created tension and confusion in the state capital, as some residents feared a possible outbreak of violence.
Governor Mutfwang had earlier said that both political and legal solutions were being explored to address the alleged injustice meted out to the PDP lawmakers.
He also appealed for calm and urged the people to respect the rule of law.
