Plateau State House of Assembly Faces Uncertainty as Sacked Lawmakers Plan Return

• The Plateau State House of Assembly faces confusion as 16 PDP lawmakers, previously sacked, announce their intent to resume duties
• Despite conflicting court judgments, the PDP lawmakers claim the Supreme Court’s pronouncement nullifies the appellate court’s verdict

The Plateau State House of Assembly is on the brink of confusion as the 16 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), previously sacked by the Court of Appeal, express their intent to resume their legislative duties.

Speaking to the media in Jos yesterday, spokesperson Ishaku Maren, representing the group, cautioned their All Progressives Congress (APC) counterparts. Maren claimed that the Supreme Court’s pronouncement had allegedly nullified the appellate court’s verdict.

As law-abiding citizens, Maren emphasized their readiness to resume work, representing the people who “duly” elected them. He stated, “The 16 PDP members of the Plateau State House of Assembly are here to address the press regarding our resumption of duty tomorrow (today). Our recess will be ending today (yesterday), and by tomorrow (today), we are resuming work in earnest.”

Maren continued, “We are confident in addressing the press by informing the general public that our PDP family members in the State Assembly are in high spirits and willing to return to continue our constitutional duties willingly given to us by the electorate. So, we are all ready to resume work tomorrow (today).”

Highlighting the legal backdrop, Maren recounted the two conflicting judgments during their recess. The Court of Appeal initially ruled that the PDP in Plateau State had no structure, leading to the sacking of all 16 PDP members. However, a superior court, the Supreme Court, deemed the entire judgment brought before the Court of Appeal fraudulent during the recess. The Supreme Court asserted that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

The looming uncertainty in the Plateau State House of Assembly raises questions about the potential clash between the returning PDP lawmakers and the existing APC members, setting the stage for a complex political situation.