By Admin
The Speaker, Plateau House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Gabriel Dewan, has said only eight lawmakers are bonified members of the house.
“This is sequel Friday’s judgement of the Supreme Court, which affirmed the election of Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected governor of the state after the court of appeal nullified his election.”
Dewan made the disclosure in Jos while interacting with newsmen on Saturday.
The speaker said the action of the supreme court which is the highest court of the land had concealed the earlier position of the lower court (appeal court) and “as it stands now only eight lawmakers are recognised as members of this assembly.”
The lawmaker said that he remains the leader of the house despite coming from the opposition and a minority party the young people’s party (YPP).
Dewan said: “The sixteen lawmakers, who were wrongly affirmed by the court of appeal will not be recognised for now pending the determination of the supreme court judgement which is the highest court of the land.
“The apex court says the actions and judgement of the appeal court was faulty and an abuse of court processes. Thank God the 16 PDP lawmakers, who were earlier sacked had appealed for the determination of the that judgement.
“They are now calling for Those judgements given to APC to be upturned by the highest court of the land including those of the national assembly members.”
The court of appeal had last year sacked state and national assembly members from plateau state which has attracted public outcry and Cals for a review of the judgement but thier plea fell on deaf ears.
But the Supreme Court on Friday upheld the election of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected governor of the state.
Muftwang’s victory at the March 18, 2023 poll was upheld by the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos but the appeal court overturned the lower court’s victory declaring Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress the winner of the election.
The Appeal Court had ruled that the failure of the PDP to comply with the order of the Plateau State High Court in Jos directing it to conduct valid ward, local governments, and state congresses before nominating its candidates for the various elective posts was a breach of the law.
The court, for the same reason, sacked many lawmakers elected on the PDP platform in the state.
Reading to the judgment of the apex court on Friday, Justice Emmanuel Agim held that the APC and its candidate are not members of the PDP and cannot challenge the primary election of the PDP.
He also held that the tribunal and court of appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the issue.
Agim noted that the petition of the APC in the first place was an abuse of the court process and faulted the appeal court for sacking the governor.
He said, “The petition by the APC and its candidates are abuse of the court process.
“I wonder why the matter came to court at all. This appeal is allowed.”
“My worry is that a lot of people have suffered as a result of this,” Justice John Okoro said while agreeing with the lead judge. (ephemeralnews)
