Allow Democratic Norms Reign In Plateau Assembly, MBJF Tasks Lalong

.. Appeals for calm, calls on Plateau elders to immediately intervene

..invites National Assembly to take over the assembly

The Middle Belt Journalists Forum, (MBJF) has urged Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state to allow for the return of Democratic norms in the Plateau State House of Assembly, while appealing for calm in the state.

The forum also while calling for the elders of the state to intervene in the impasse, urged the National assembly to do the needful by taking over the affairs of the state assembly at a time like this.

The MBJF made this appeal Wednesday in a press statement signed by its President Jonathan IPAA and National Secretary, Mrs Oikeke Igado-Kure in Abuja.

The media pressure group also condemned the impeachment of the Plateau State House Speaker, Hon. Ayuba Abok and replacement with a new leadership by six out of the twenty four state lawmakers, saying, that Plateau state can not afford further escalation of any crisis.

The Middle Belt Journalists Forum described the impeachment as a legislative coup, but urged Plateau state elders to intervene by restoring peace back to the House of Assembly.

“We see the crisis as a continue desecration of democracy on the Plateau which is another ploy to deny Plateau people their legitimate democratic rights in the name of internal party interest while the larger majorities remain in the trenches.

“We appeal to Plateau elders to as a matter of urgency, intervene against this legislative coup.

“Consequently, we call on the House of Representatives to immediately take over the affairs of Plateau State House of Assembly pending when permanent peace will be restored.”

“The people of Plateau state must not be allowed to suffer further crisis having gone through subjective communal crisis.

“We also appeal to the Government of His Excellency Simon Bako Lalong to play safe with the fragile issue by allowing democratic norms to reign through the expression of the majority no matter what their political differences or interests.”