Constituents in Plateau South Left Without Representation as Lalong Clings to Ministerial Post

It has been more than a month since the Court of Appeal declared Simon Lalong as the elected senator for Plateau South, replacing Napoleon Bali of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Despite receiving the certificate of return from INEC, Lalong, who is currently the Minister of Labour and Employment, is yet to present himself for inauguration, leaving his constituents in limbo.

The appellate court’s decision to oust Bali was based on the improper nomination of the PDP candidate for the February election. Following the court order, INEC promptly issued the certificate of return to Lalong. However, the delay in his swearing-in has raised concerns about representation for the Plateau South constituents.

Sources within the All Progressives Congress (APC) suggest that Lalong is contemplating resigning from his ministerial position to assume his role as a federal lawmaker. However, this information remains unverified, and Lalong’s indecision has left his constituents without representation in the National Assembly.

Plateau South, encompassing six local government areas, has a history of representation by notable figures, including Silas Janfa, Cosmos Niagwan, and Nora Daduut. Lalong’s delay in taking office has implications for the region, particularly amid ongoing ethnic conflicts and bandit tensions.

While the Nigerian constitution lacks a specific timeframe for senators to be sworn in post-court judgment, legal experts argue that Lalong’s prompt action is crucial, considering the circumstances in his state. Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, emphasized the need for compliance with the court order, stating that Lalong must decide on his role in a timely manner.

Eze Onyekpere, another senior lawyer, suggested that Lalong should have resigned as minister immediately after receiving his certificate of return. Failure to do so, according to Onyekpere, denies constituents proper representation and raises the possibility of a by-election.

Comparisons with previous cases highlight the inconsistency in court judgments. Senators like Amos Yohanna and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan were swiftly inaugurated after court decisions, emphasizing the urgency for Lalong to follow suit. The delay has prompted criticism of the judiciary, with allegations of bias and conflicting decisions.

As Plateau and other states grapple with legal disputes, the perceived inconsistency in court rulings raises concerns about the judiciary’s impartiality. The opposition, particularly the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has accused the tribunal and appeal court panels of bias, further fueling dissatisfaction with the judicial process.