The political crisis in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria lingers ss the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon Gabriel Dewan, disowned 16 members who where earlier declared winners of the 2023 election by the Appeal Court
Recall that the 16 members elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. PDP to the House were sacked by the Appeal Court on grounds that their nominations by the PDP was improper based on the assertion that the party lacked structure at the time of their nomination, rendering them ineligible candidates.
Consequently, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw their certificates of return and issue them to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates.
But recent Supreme Court judgment overruled the appellate court, stating that the sack of the 16 PDP members was unjustified.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, allowed the appeal filed by Governor Caleb Mutfwang against his earlier removal by the Court of Appeal.
Agim argued that the APC and its candidate had no right to intervene in the internal affairs of another political party.
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling, Speaker Dewan boldly declared that he does not recognize the APC members who benefited from the judgment.
Speaking to newsmen in Jos, he emphasized that the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, as the highest court in the land, nullified the previous position of the lower court.
Dewan stated, “As it stands now, only eight members are recognized in the assembly.”
