16 fired Plateau legislators move to return to Assembly

The 16 members of the Plateau State House of Assembly sacked by the Court of Appeal last November decided to resume their legislative duties on Tuesday.

The group of ousted lawmakers made their decision known when they briefed journalists on Monday in Jos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the court annulled the election of the members, who were elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), due to lack of party structure.

NAN also reports that federal legislators elected on the platform of the PDP in the state were also sacked by the Court of Appeal, citing the same reason; and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had scheduled new elections to fill their seats for February 3.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s election was also annulled by the same court for the same reason. However, the Supreme Court revoked it in a ruling on January 12.

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From the high court’s ruling, the legislators stated that they were only on recess and would resume their duties on Tuesday.

The group’s spokesperson, Ishaku Maren, said while they were on recess, two rulings were issued on the status of the Plateau State House of Assembly.

Mr Maren, who was the majority leader of the assembly before the Court of Appeal ruling, stated that they were products of democracy and were validly elected by the majority of votes cast in their various constituencies.

“It was even in the words of the Supreme Court that that Court of Appeal ruling was a miscarriage of justice.

“I also want to point out that even in the law it is said that if there is harm, there will certainly be a remedy.

“Our voters are ready and willing to accompany us to tomorrow’s assembly because they voted for us and they are not willing to compromise on that,” Maren said.

(YAYA)