By Daniel Edu
A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bitrus Shaina, and a member of the Asiwaju Tinubu/Shetima Professional Forum, has accused Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang of obstructing the activities of the state chapter of the APC.
Shaina, in an interview with The Sun, highlighted that the Appeal Court in Abuja recently invalidated the elections of all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in Plateau, citing the party’s lack of structure to sponsor candidates. Additionally, the court had removed all federal legislators elected on the PDP platform, instructing the issuance of certificates of return to the first runners-up, who belonged to the APC and Labour Party.
While noting that the National Assembly promptly adhered to the court’s directives, inaugurating APC, LP, and ADP candidates, Shaina expressed concern that the state legislators were yet to assume office. He accused Governor Mutfwang of deliberately impeding efforts to inaugurate the state assembly and alleged that the governor influenced the postponement of the assembly’s resumption.
Shaina elaborated on the situation, stating, “The sacked PDP lawmakers have taken advantage of the lacuna to demand that they be returned to their seats against the order of the court, hinging their argument on the Supreme Court judgment affirming the election of Governor Mutfwang.”
Despite the delay, Shaina highlighted that the legal attempts by the ousted PDP members to reclaim their seats were dismissed by the court for lacking merit. He further criticized the prolonged delay in the reconvening of the State Assembly, speculating that Governor Mutfwang’s influence might be behind the postponement.
According to Shaina, this delay could have serious consequences as the Constitution mandates that any house not in session for 181 days will be shut down, and members absent for 60 days will automatically lose their seats.
