The 16 former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Plateau State who were dismissed by the Court of Appeal in November 2023 have promised to resume legislative responsibilities today.
The fired legislators said this Wednesday at a media event in Jos, the state capital.
It should be noted that members elected on the PDP platform had their elections voided by the court due to a lack of party organization, and so the party was unable to sponsor candidates in the most recent elections.
The court therefore declared the 16 All Progressives Congress (APC) members who finished second in the elections as winners.
The election of state governor Caleb Mutfwang was also overturned by the same appellate court for the same reason.
However, the Supreme Court overturned Mutfwang’s dismissal in a January 12 decision, stating that the lower court’s decision to nullify the governor’s election was incorrect.
Briefing reporters on Monday, the sacked lawmakers, led by Ishaku Maren, claimed that the Supreme Court decision, which validated Governor Mutfwang’s election, demonstrated that they were still legitimate members of the house, adding that they were only on recess and would resume duties today (Tuesday).
Maren, who was the majority leader of the assembly prior to the Appeal Court decision, argued that they were a product of democracy and were legitimately elected by the majority of votes.
He stated, “The Appeal Court verdict was a miscarriage of justice, as stated by the Supreme Court itself. I’d also like to point out that the law states that if there is a damage, there will be a remedy.
“Our constituents are willing and ready to accompany us to the assembly tomorrow because they voted for us, and they are not ready to compromise that.”
Sylvanus Namang, the APC’s state publicity secretary, responded to the development, saying that attending sittings by expelled members was a call to anarchy.
In a statement made available to Daily Trust, Namang stated, “What began last week as a veiled threat by a former speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Istifanus Caleb Mwansat, during his infamous interview with AIT is swiftly becoming a reality.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court decision that favored the governor is personal to him and has no multiplier or spill-over effect on anyone who has already been dismissed. Furthermore, there was no lawsuit involving the National and State Assembly Elections before the Supreme Court.
“Plateau State which is standing on a very delicate security tripod following so many upheavals which have consumed thousands of of unsuspecting lives cannot afford this very avoidable threat and legislative onslaught,” the All Progressives Congress (APC) said.
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