Court dismisses sacked lawmakers’ suit to participate in re-run election

A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application filed by Senator Simon Mwadkwon and Musa Agah Avia, both sacked federal lawmakers on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), seeking to participate in the February 3 rerun elections.

Senator Mwadkon and Rep Agah represented Plateau North Senatorial District and Bassa/Jos North constituency, respectively, before they were sacked by the Appeal Court on the ground that their party lacked the structure to participate in the last general elections.

The court had, after sacking the PDP members, ordered for re-run elections.

But the Supreme Court judgement had affirmed the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, also of the PDP; a development that the PDP members argued should qualify the sacked lawmakers to participate in the rerun.

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The duo’s hopes were however, dashed on Monday when the court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, declined jurisdiction in the matter, and dismissed their motion exparte earlier filed on January 11.

The plaintiffs – Mwadkon and Agah – had sought an order of mandamus, compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to include them in the forthcoming rerun elections.

The INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, had penultimate week, via a signed presser, said the umpire will not include any new/disqualified candidate.