Under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, the 16 dismissed members of the Plateau State House of Assembly have petitioned the Court of Appeal to overturn a previous ruling by the same court that declared their elections to be invalid.
According to reports, the Court of Appeal declared that the PDP’s lack of organizational structure prevented them from fielding candidates in the election, thereby nullifying the election of every lawmaker in the State Assembly.
In spite of this, the lawmakers who were fired have maintained that they are still members of the House in light of the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s election, which was also overturned by the Court of Appeal.
They feel that they have been vindicated by the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The MPs who were dismissed, who included Bala Fwanje Ndat and Datugun Paul Naankot, claimed in their motion on notice that they should be returned into the House in accordance with order 6 rules 1 of the Court of Appeal, 2021, with suit Nos. CA/J/33M/2024 and CA/J/31/M/2024.
Their attorney, Garba Paul, SAN, claimed that neither the Court of Appeal nor the electoral tribunal had jurisdiction over the issue, and this was one of the reliefs that they sought.
The legislators who were fired stated in their papers that “the judgement of the Court delivered on the 24th day of November, 2023, is a nullity,” which served as the foundation for their arguments.
In accordance with E.O. Williams-Dawodu, Abdul-Azez Waziri, and E.O. Abang, JCA, they are requesting “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 November 24, 2023.”
They contend that the Court of Appeal should overturn its previous ruling in light of the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s nomination and sponsorship.
Remember that the legislators attempted to return to the Assembly, a move that almost precipitated a state-wide political catastrophe.
The Speaker of the House, Gabriel Dewan Kudagbena, has not yet administered the oath of office to APC members who are the recipients of the Court of Appeal ruling.
The Speaker’s choice was dependent on opposing court orders.
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