Sacked Plateau PDP Lawmakers Head Back to Court in Bid for Reinstatement

In a bid to reverse their ousted status, the 16 members of the Plateau State House of Assembly affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have taken their case back to the Court of Appeal. This move follows the Court of Appeal’s previous decision to nullify the elections of all PDP lawmakers, citing the party’s alleged lack of structure for candidate sponsorship.

Despite the setback, the sacked legislators, led by figures such as Bala Fwanje Ndat and Datugun Paul Naankot, remain resolute in their claim that they are still rightful members of the House. They point to the Supreme Court’s recent affirmation of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s election, a victory that was also initially nullified at the Court of Appeal.

In a motion on notice (Suit No: CA/J/33M/2024 and CA/J/31/M/2024), the lawmakers, represented by their counsel Garba Paul, SAN, are seeking reinstatement into the House. Paul argues that both the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction over the matter. Their key contention lies in the belief that the Court’s judgment on November 24, 2023, is fundamentally flawed and should be deemed a nullity.

The sacked legislators specifically seek “an order setting aside the decision of this Honourable court in appeal No. CA/J/EP/PL/SHA/62/2023, Dagogot Karyt Owen & Anor Vs Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), & Ors on 24th November, 2023, per E.O Williams-Dawodu, Abdul-Azez Waziri and E.O Abang, JCA.”

Their argument hinges on the Supreme Court’s validation of Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s nomination and sponsorship, suggesting that this should prompt the Court of Appeal to reconsider its earlier ruling.

The lawmakers’ attempt to return to the House previously sparked potential political unrest in the state. Currently, members of the APC, beneficiaries of the Court of Appeal’s judgment, are awaiting swearing-in by the Speaker, Gabriel Dewan Kudagbena, who cites conflicting court orders as the basis for his cautious decision.