The 16 former lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State who were sacked by the Court of Appeal in November 2023 have vowed to resume legislative duties today.
The sacked legislators made this known yesterday during a media briefing in Jos, the state capital.
It would be recalled that the members, who were elected on the platform of the PDP, had their election nullified by the court over lack of party structure and therefore it could not sponsor candidates in the last elections.
The court thereafter declared the 16 All Progressives Congress (APC) members who came second in the elections as winners.
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The state governor, Caleb Mutfwang’s election was also quashed by the same appeal court for the same reason.
But Mutfwang’s sack was reversed by the Supreme Court in its January 12 judgement, which said that the lower court was wrong its judgement to nulified the governor’s election.
Briefing newsmen on Monday, the sacked lawmakers led by Ishaku Maren, argued that the Supreme Court judgment, which validated the election of Governor Mutfwang, was an indication that they were still the authentic 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 before the Appeal Court judgment, stated that they were a product of democracy and were validly elected by the majority of votes.
He said “It was even in the words of the Supreme Court that the Appeal Court judgment was a miscarriage of justice. I want to also state that even in law, it says that if there is an injury, there will certainly 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.”
Responding on the development, the state publicity secretary of APC, Sylvanus Namang, said attending sittings by the sacked lawmakers was a call to anarchy.
In a statement made available to Daily Trust, Namang said “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 fast becoming a reality.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court judgement which awarded victory to the governor is personal to him and has no multiplier or spill-over effect on anyone already sacked. This is moreover there was no case pertaining to 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 unsuspecting lives cannot afford this very avoidable threat and legislative onslaught,” the APC warned.