Sacked 16 Plateau Lawmakers Move to Return to Assembly

By Grampolo
Resumption of plenary by members of the Plateau State House of Assembly was stalled following the presence of the sixteen members recently sacked by the tribunal and court of appeal.

The plenary was stalled following a fracas at the gate between security men and supporters of the members.

The State Assembly election petition tribunal and the Court of appeal had last year removed sixteen state lawmakers in plateau state elected on the ticket of the PDP on the grounds that the party had no structure.

A recent judgement by the supreme court however overturned the judgement based on its decision on the petition against Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

Following the decision the sacked PDP members decided to resume sitting.

Addressing newsmen at the venue, Speaker of the Assembly Gabriel Dewam alongside seven members of the house who were not affected by the court tussle confirmed the resumption from recess.

Responding to questions on which of the members will occupy the sixteen vacant legislative seats in the state assembly, the speaker said the matter will be for the court to resolve while clarifying that so far, the assembly recognises only eight members.

Shortly after addressing the press, the sixteen PDP members who were removed by the court of appeal moved into the hall to attend plenary but the speaker appealed to them to remain calm and await the court’s decision on the matter.

Responding on behalf of the sixteen PDP sacked members, Ishaku Maren promised to comply with the speaker’s decision.

The sixteen legislators installed by the appeal court decision were not present at the venue of the sitting.