A political storm is brewing in the Plateau State House of Assembly as the Speaker, Gabriel Dewan, declares that he only recognizes eight members of the house, leaving the fate of 16 members in uncertainty.
Dewan, the sole member of the Young Peoples Party (YPP), assumed the role of speaker after the Appeal Court sacked 16 members elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as reported by The SUN.
The Appeal Court's decision to remove the 16 PDP members was based on the assertion that the party lacked structure at the time of their nomination, rendering them ineligible candidates.
Consequently, the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw their certificates of return and issue them to the All Progressives Congress (APC) members.
However, a recent Supreme Court judgment overruled the appellate court, stating that the sack of the 16 PDP members was unjustified.
The judgment, delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, allowed the appeal filed by Governor Caleb Mutfwang against his earlier removal by the Court of Appeal.
Agim argued that the APC and its candidate had no right to intervene in the internal affairs of another political party.
In the aftermath of the Supreme Court ruling, Speaker Dewan boldly declared that he does not recognize the APC members who benefited from the judgment.
Speaking to newsmen in Jos, he emphasized that the pronouncement of the Supreme Court, as the highest court in the land, nullified the previous position of the lower court.
Dewan stated, "As it stands now, only eight members are recognized in the assembly."
