Former governorship candidate on the platform of Labour Party, LP, in Plateau State, Professor Patrick Dakum, has faulted the delay in the appointment of a new minister from the state by President Bola Tinubu.
Dakum, who addressed journalists yesterday in Abuja, expressed shock that more than six months after the resignation of Senator Simon Lalong as Minister representing Plateau in the Federal Executive Council, no action had been taken to replace him.
Describing the situation as a breach of the 1999 constitution and a disservice to the people of Plateau, Dakum, who is the Chief Executive Officer, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, called on the president to appoint a minister from Plateau without further delay in the interest of democracy.
“Democracy entails carrying everyone along, following due process, observing the rule of law and dispensing justice to all without delay. There is no genuine reason for Plateau to be without a minister for this long which denies it participation in decision making for good governance in the country. There are capable and eligible hands in the state that can handle any ministry, so why delay the appointment,” Dakum said.
On the lingering crisis in the House of Assembly which has prevented seven members-elect from being sworn in by the speaker, Dakum said for democracy to thrive, court orders must be obeyed whether palatable or unpalatable.
He said, “There is absolutely no reason why the members-elect that the Court of Appeal declared winners should not be in the House working. It does not make sense. I don’t understand why and how because it is the same judiciary that said the governor is of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the House is of the All Progressives Congress, APC, so, what is the rocket science in that? The court has already taken its decision and there is nothing anyone can do about it, but to obey its decisions. It is democratic to obey court order whether in our favour or not.”
The former commissioner of health and information insisted that it is an abuse of democracy not to swear in the members-elect, as it is nothing short of denying their constituents the right to be represented in the House, thereby making government incomplete.
He added that everyone should be carried along in the interest of democracy, good governance, progress and justice.
It would be recalled that President Tinubu had earlier appointed Lalong as Minister of Labour and Employment.
However, in December 2023, he tendered his resignation and proceeded to the National Assembly as senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District after an Appeal Court ruling affirmed him winner of the seat.
Since then, the president has not appointed anyone as minister to represent Plateau in the federal executive council in line with the constitution.
