Plateau Assembly May Return Soon
- Early Reinstatement Of Governor Joshua Dariye Doubtful
BY KODILINYE OBIAGWU
BARELY three months after it was suspended in the wake of the State of Emergency Rule declared in Plateau in May, the state House of Assembly may be restored soon. The emergency rule runs out in October.
But the early return of Governor Joshua Dariye to power and lifting of the emergency rule is uncertain, given that the "exit timetable", which the Sole Administrator of the state, Gen. Chris Alli has reportedly presented to President Olusegun Obasanjo spans the full course of the month of October.
Indeed, a prominent son of the state, Chief Solomon Lar has hinted of the possibility of restoring the House of Assembly without returning Governor Dariye or revoking the contingency administration.
According to Lar: "I am told that they are trying now to bring back the State House of Assembly, and maybe leave the other thing (the emergency rule and Dariye)."
The Guardian learnt that the emergency rule imposed last May has become like an albatross for the Federal Government.
Besides the statement by Lar that those who imposed the state of emergency in Plateau "have realised their errors," it was gathered that a consortium of prominent constitutional lawyers and Senior Advocates of Nigeria had advised the President to restore democratic structures in Plateau immediately.
The lawyers are said to have held several meetings with the President at Aso Rock.
Chief Lar, who was pioneer chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former chairman of its Board of Trustees (BOT), told The Guardian that there were plans to restore the democratic institutions in the state soon.
The point of contention now is the suit filed at the Supreme Court by members of the Plateau State Assembly, challenging their suspension by the Federal Government.
On this score, Lar said: "If the court is to decide who is right or wrong, from all indications, the declaration of the state of emergency may be okayed. But the suspension of the governor, the deputy and the State House of Assembly is unconstitutional."
He observed that the manner the government was prosecuting the suit at the Supreme Court suggested that "it has realised its error and does not really want to contest the position of the state legislators."
Lar said: "I am sure they have seen that they should not have suspended the governor and the legislature. I am told that they are trying now to bring back the State House of Assembly, and maybe leave the other thing (the emergency rule and Dariye)."
The President's meetings with constitutional lawyers and Senior Advocates over the Plateau impasse has become expedient following the suit brought against the government by the Plateau Assembly, contesting its suspension at the Supreme Court.
As a source revealed at the weekend, the lawyers, who had strongly criticised the state of emergency, had convinced the President that "the government would embarrass itself at the Supreme Court if it insisted on continuing with the case."
"The President might have bought the advice of the constitutional lawyers that though declaring a state of emergency was constitutional, and could be defended if there was a need for it, it was indefensible to remove elected officials," he said.
Obasanjo was also reportedly informed that if the suit was continued, the outcome would embarrass him, and that it was in his interest to return the democratic structures, "even if the emergency rule would last its period."
The Supreme Court is presently on vacation and would rule on the case when it resumes in October.
Sources said that a sense of desperation had been read into the emerging scenario. Late last month in Abuja, members of the Plateau State House of Assembly met with Deputy Senate President Ibrahim Mantu, an indigene of the state.
Despite reports that the legislators had gone to plead with him to intervene with the presidency, it was learnt that Mantu pleaded with the legislators to withdraw the suit and negotiate a way out of the crisis.
However, it is not likely that the state of emergency will be lifted before October, despite reports that the Alli had raised the confidence of the people in the state's security.
With President Obasanjo ready to visit the state later in the month, security has become an issue. An earlier planned visit late last month to commission a constituency project initiated by Mantu was cancelled, following unfavourable security reports.
Former chairman of Nigerian Insurance Corporation (NICON) and a prominent politician in the state, Ambassador Yahya Kwande, said it would not be beneficial for the state if the emergency was hurriedly lifted.
"There is calm, but not peace yet in the state. If they go ahead and lift the emergency before the six months, no one can predict the outcome." He suggested that the emergency should be left to run its course.
One group that may not be interested in a quick return to the status quo, is the state civil service where permanent secretaries are holding sway in the absence of the suspended commissioners.
The permanent secretaries are reportedly happier with the collapsed structure, as it gives them more powers and relevance. In the place of executive council meeting, Gen. Alli holds administrative council meeting with the permanent secretaries.
Apart from the permanent secretaries, who are controlling the votes and making the political decisions, Alli also has two special assistants, who had served him when he was governor of the state.
One of the aides is Mr. Golwa, his former director of press, who is now at the Institute of Peace and Conflict in Jos. The other is Mr. Kangnan, who was the Alli's Commissioner for Finance.
