Nigerian Newsday

By Tongnaan Dada Bawa, Jos

Plateau State House of Assembly has reviewed the state local government law, giving the Governor, Jonah Jang, the power to appoint caretaker committee chairmen for local councils.

This review is coming shortly after a botched local government election in the state, and with the approval, appointed committee chairmen would serve for a period of six months, which is renewable.

Also, the assembly has approved the dissolution of the Plateau State Electoral Commission (PLASIEC), in line with an earlier request for that purpose made to it by the governor last week.

Following this, it was gathered that the government would swear-in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates, who were billed to enter for the local government elections as caretaker committee chairmen.

However, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) in the state, which had earlier given the government just one month ultimatum to conduct a fresh council election, has their hopes dashed with the recent decision by he state assembly.

Moment after the review of the law, CNPP took a protest letter to the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Go’ar, over their request for a fresh poll within one month, which according to them may fetch, saying the CNPP would take legal action against the government if it failed.

Receiving the letter of protest, Hon. Go’ar assured them that the assembly will look into their request and follow the law accordingly.

Meanwhile, it was gathered that the police had sealed up the premises of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), because of its plans to demonstrate against the latest decision of the assembly.