A coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has warned Lawmakers of the Plateau State House of Assembly to be seen as Lawbreakers.
The Civil Society Organisations have also advised the lawmakers to follow constitutional provisions to resolve the leadership crises bedeviling the assembly.
The coalition gave advice on Wednesday in Jos while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the their meeting held on Tuesday.
The Chairman of the coalition, Mr Gad Shamaki, said that the CSOs were saddened by the current unnecessary leadership tussle in the House which he said had been heating up the political atmosphere, threatening the peace and cooperate existence of the state.
Mr. Shamaki said that the tussle was making life unbearable for citizens and inculcating the culture of violence and use of force instead of debate, diplomacy and dialogue.
“We call on all parties, especially those trying to forcefully change the rules to follow the rules of engagement and constitutional provisions (Sec 92 Sub sec 2c) so that lawmakers do not become law breakers as we see in this saga.
The chairman of the coalition called on authorities to stand on the side of justice, fairness, peace and ensure that the state legislators uphold the rule of law and legislative procedures to avert a breakdown of law and order.
“We commend all gallant officers of all security agencies in the state that have sacrificed their time and life for the maintenance of peace and support for democracy and civic space. We, however, wish to urge the various security agencies in the state that they should maintain an impartial posture in handling the ongoing attempt at ‘leadership change’ in the State House of Assembly.
He noted that the leadership crisis in the House is unnecessary as it has hit up the political atmosphere thereby threatening the peace and corporate existence of the state.
“A stitch in time saves nine, it is in the best interest of Plateau to have a people centered and functioning House of Assembly that would promote, support democratic culture and socio-economic development of the state.
“We therefore, call for a quick resolution of the perceived impasse and democratic norms and practice in the running of the affairs of the Plateau State House of Assembly and we say no to any act of impunity,” he said.
The coalitin insisted that ‘As co-travellers in the strengthening of developmental and democratic ties in Plateau State and Nigeria at large, we call in a very clear and loud voice for the respect for the rule of law, inclusiveness, protection of democratic values and independence in the real sense of the word of the three arms of government.’
Mr Steve Aluko of Civil Liberty Organisation said that impunity anywhere encouraged impunity in other places.
Aluko urged the parties to speedily resolve the impasse in the interest of peace.