Former Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Dr Golu Timothy has commended the Plateau State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon Ayuba Abok, for rising in defense of democracy by putting aside partisan differences to ensure a level playing field for all actors ahead of the October LGA polls.
Golu also call on Governor Simon Bako Lalong to caution the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission, PLASIEC against destroying democracy in the State by asking them to respect Democracy and its due Process.
In a statement in Jos, the former Chief Whip of the State assembly described as absurd and strange the dictatorial tendencies of the state electoral body to do as it wishes.
According to Golu , the resolutions of the House directing PLASIEC to respect democracy and provide a level field for all political parties to participate, reduce the ridiculous charges on candidates is bold, courageous and exemplary. He described as a big shame the attitude of PLASIEC, a supposedly democratic institution created by law of the state to turn around to undermine the state itself, calling on the PLASIEC Chairman and all its Commissioners to resign immediately if they are not ready to serve the state and its people.
” My deepest respect to the Plateau State House of Assembly under the leadership of Rt Hon Ayuba Abok. I commend the mover of the motion, Hon Peter Gyendeng. I know how rigorous or pleasant it could be for such a consensus to be arrived at in Parliament, especially with different partisan voices. But for the 24 man assembly to swiftly agree on this speaks volumes on their collective respect for democracy and their sheer will determination to protect and save democracy and make it grow. To even save PLASIEC from itself.
As a former member of that chamber and Chief Whip, I hail my colleagues for doing justice to democracy in Plateau and laud their commitment to democratic ideals. Their resolutions are a timely reminder to PLASIEC and its like minds to return to the shelve and abide by what the people have all agreed upon. What pleasure does PLASIEC enjoy in segregating the political class? How on earth can you stop other football teams and allow only one team of 11 players in a game and still call it a tournament when the other teams have not breached any law. Where is the beauty of democracy? Why would a constitutional refree like PLASIEC wear the jerseys of one political party in a contest and playing for a chosen team?”
He said democracy is not a joke or a traditional festival that can be changed anyhow and so it is time the handlers of PLASIEC know that the law is above everyone and that while stages come and go, the laws governing society remains.
He said the collective resolutions of the legislative body is a strong signal and indication to PLASIEC and the government of the peoples readiness to protect democracy by all legal means.
While appreciating the minority leader of the state assembly, Hon Gyendeng for moving the very popular motion, he thanked the leadership and entire House for their sensitivity, compassion and dogged commitment to democratic ideals by fearlessly rising to save democracy.
The House has resolved and directed PLASIEC to reduce the amount for the obtaining of nomination forms and to ensure level playing ground for participation by all political parties.
These resolutions followed the illegal decision by PLASIEC to ban all PDP candidates from contesting in the polls.
Golu wondered why PLASIEC has suddenly become a revenue generating agency by deviating from its core mandate .
Nigeria Star News 