Plateau: Appeal Court Sacks 11 PDP State Assembly Members, APC Takes Control
In a significant judicial development, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, led by Justice Okon Abang, made a unanimous decision on Friday to dismiss 11 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Plateau State Assembly.
The panel, in its ruling, declared that all 11 lawmakers from the PDP scored wasted votes during the March 2023 general election due to the party’s lack of structure. Justice Abang pointed out that the PDP’s violation of section 177 of the 1999 constitution rendered them unable to sponsor candidates in the election.
As a consequence, the Court of Appeal declared the second runners-up in the March 18 elections as the winners, effectively unseating the PDP lawmakers. The affected individuals include Hon Timothy Dantong (Riyom), Hon. Rimyat Nanbol (Langtang North Central), Moses Sule (Mikang), Salome Waklek (Pankshin), Hon. Bala Fwangji (Mangu South), Hon. Maren Ishaku (Bokkos), Hon. Dagogot (Quaanpan North), Nannim Langyi (Langtang North North), Nimchak Rims (Langtang South), Hon. Danjuma Azi (Jos North West), Gwottson Fom (Jos South), and Hon. Abubakar Sani Idris (Mangu North).
With this decision, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has now assumed the leading position in the Plateau State House of Assembly, securing 22 seats. The Young Peoples Party (YPP) and Labour Party (LP) hold one seat each, leaving the PDP without representation in the assembly.
