Sacked Plateau PDP Lawmakers Resume Legal Battle for Reinstatement

The 16 sacked members of the Plateau State House of Assembly, under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have turned to the Court of Appeal, aiming to overturn the previous judgment of the same court that nullified their elections

Recall that the Court of Appeal nullified the election of all PDP lawmakers in the State Assembly, citing their party’s lack of structure to sponsor candidates in the election.

The sacked lawmakers have maintained their position as members of the House, citing the Supreme Court’s decision affirming Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s election, which had also been nullified by the Court of Appeal.

They are convinced that the judgment of the Supreme Court has vindicated them.

The sacked lawmakers, including Bala Fwanje Ndat and Datugun Paul Naankot, among others, stated in their motion on notice, with suit No: CA/J/33M/2024 and CA/J/31/M/2024, that under Order 6, Rule 1 of the Court of Appeal, 2021, they are entitled to be reinstated into the House

This constituted one of the reliefs presented by their Legal representative Garba Paul, SAN, who argued that both the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction over the matter.

The sacked lawmakers stated that their grounds, as outlined in the motions, were based on the fact that “the judgment of the Court delivered on the 24th day of November 2023, is a nullity.”

They are seeking “An order setting aside the decision of this Honourable court in appeal No. CA/J/EP/PL/SHA/62/2023, Dagogot Karyt Owen & Anor Vs Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), & Ors on 24th November 2023, per E.O Williams-Dawodu, Abdul-Azez Waziri and E.O Abang, JCA.”

According to them, the validation by the Supreme Court of Plateau State Governor  Mutfwang’s nomination and sponsorship implies that the Court of Appeal should overturn its earlier judgment.

The lawmakers had attempted to return to the House of Assembly, a move that almost led to a political crisis in the state

Currently, members of the APC who are beneficiaries of the Court of Appeal judgment have not yet been sworn in by the Speaker of the House, Gabriel Dewan Kudagbena.
The Speaker’s decision is based on conflicting court orders

Kanyi Daily recalls that sacked Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers faced teargas from armed policemen on Tuesday as they were dispersed from the Plateau State House of Assembly premises