By: Joseph A. Adudu, January 22, 2024

Group photograph of 16 PDP lawmakers set to resume plenary on Tuesday

The 16 PDP Lawmaker who were sacked by the Court of Appeal in November 2023 have posited that following the judgment of the Supreme Court which validated the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected Governor of Plateau State, has equally cured the issue of structure which the Court of Appeal relied on in invalidating their mandate.

Consequently, they have expressed their desire and willingness to resume plenary tomorrow Tuesday 23rd January, 2024 after recess.

Speaking on behalf of the 16 PDP Lawmakers, Hon Ishaku Maren said that it was necessary to address the general public about happening at the House of Assembly. "While we were on recess, there were two judgements that were passed regarding the status of the State House of Assembly and Plateau State as a whole.

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"The first one was that which was passed by the Court of Appeal and the Court of Appeal said, (and I quote) 'one cannot put something on nothing. It added that the PDP on the Plateau had no structure and it was on this basis and premise that the Appeal Court sacked all the 16 PDP Members.

"But lo and behold; as we were still on recess, the superior court gave its own verdict regarding the same issue. In the judgment of the Supreme Court, they said the case that was brought before the Court of Appeal in its entirety was fraudulent, and because the Court of Appeal lacks even jurisdiction to entertain the entire matter, and by that it shows that we are still referring to their own submission that one can not build something on nothing.

"So it was even a wrong decision that such a case should be taken to court and by implication, it shows that the verdict of the Court of Appeal is a nullity. And we are disregarding that judgment in its entirety", Hon Maren said.

He expressed surprise that despite all these, the so called "Court of Appeal Members" were planning to resume work at the State Assembly Complex on same Tuesday 23rd January 2024.

Maren was however confident that as products of democracy who were duly elected by majority of valid votes at the polls, their constituents were going to accompany them to the complex where they are resuming duty.

He noted with total dismay how their Lordships (the Justices of the Court of Appeal) disregarded plethora of decisions by the Supreme Court which settled all such matters and still sacked them.

Main entrance to Plateau State House of Assembly along old Bukuru road Jos

Hon Maren also faulted the motive behind the establishment of a single panel at the Court of Appeal which entertained over 20 Appeals from the Plateau State, stressing that Plateau was the only state where that was done. He noted that despite complains, the panel remained adamant and went ahead to sack them all.

He called on President Tinubu and the head of the Judiciary in Nigeria to save democracy by calling to order the President of the Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Messem, because according to him "...all that happened within the Court of Appeal was on her authority and judgment.

"It's obvious that the panel that was dedicated to entertain or handle Plateau State matters was ill-motivated. I am saying this without any apology; it was ill-motivated, because it was only Plateau State that had a dedicated panel to handle over 20 petitions before it.

"Why can just one panel be dedicated to entertain about twenty - something cases coming from one State? What is the rationale behind that? And even when some of us appeared on national television to say that even our colleagues from the APC extraction were bragging, saying we will all be sacked in one day, it did came to pass.

"So what are we talking about? Even the Supreme Court said that the judgment was a miscarriage of Justice and that tells you that they were also disturbed. But since the judiciary says that where there is injury there must be remedy, we stand on that premise".

"And it is just like the game of football. Before the end of 90 minutes, whatsoever the referee says stands, but you will agree with me that once there are complains, that match can be reviewed and the three points might be deducted and be given to the opponents.

"So we are waiting for the deduction of that point and being given to the PDP family, so that this matter will be settled once and for all", he added.

Hon Maren further raised concerns that Plateau citizens were beginning to wonder what was happening and even how to address those Court of Appeal Members. "But I don't think we are having Court of Appeal House of Assembly Members, we are having House of Assembly that is supposed to be occupied by validly elected members from the 24 State Constituencies" he posited.

Hon. Maren also alleged that there were efforts and plans by the 16 APC members to meet with governor Caleb Mutfwang to inform him of their willingness to decamp to the PDP.

In the light of the above, Hon. Maren on behalf of his colleagues appealed to Governor Mutfwang not to succumb to that request and resist any attempt to do contrary, stressing that on their part, they will resist any pressure from any quarters to yield to the request of the APC members.

The PDP members revealed that information available to them has it that the APC Members were mobilizing people to accompany them into the complex on Tuesday. They however urged them to tow the line of integrity, desist from taking that decision.

Answering questions from journalists on the legality of their actions, Hon Maren said that the Judgment of the Supreme Court, which is the highest Court in Nigeria invalidates the judgement of Court of Appeal stressing that as at the time the Court of Appeal delivered its judgement, there were serving House of State Assembly members.

Hon. Ishaku Maren (M) flanked by Hon. Dalyop Fom Gwotson (R), Hon. Moses Sule (L) during a press briefing preparatory for resumption of the Plateau State House of Assembly for plenary on Tuesday 23rd January, 2024

"We were only on recess and the Superior Court now passed its own judgement which is to our favour because it virtually nullified the judgement of the Court of Appeal.

"It's just like a thief trying to burgle my room and in the process, is caught and he ran away. The question is; should I leave the door open for him to come in again? No, I will go back and occupy my room and that is what we are going to do tomorrow by the grace of God", Hon Maren Concluded.

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