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The recent dismissal of all federal and state lawmakers from Plateau State by the Court of Appeal has reignited demands for amendments to the electoral act. The public outcry against perceived political injustice following decisions from the Court of Appeal on cases related to the 2023 general elections has intensified.
Last November, the Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered a sweeping judgment, ousting all 16 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Plateau State House of Assembly. The verdict was based on a pre-election matter involving alleged disobedience to a court order and lack of political structure.
Prior to this, the Appeal Court had also removed five PDP members of the House of Representatives, two senators, and Governor Caleb Mutfwang, though the Supreme Court later overturned the governor's removal.
Despite Mutfwang's reprieve, both state and federal lawmakers saw their cases concluded at the appellate court. The Supreme Court criticized the Appeal Court, stating, "The issue of nomination is exclusively the internal affairs of a political party. Therefore, it is not justiciable."
Legal experts, including Justice Inyang Okoro and Justice Helen Ogunwunmiju, expressed concerns about the Appeal Court's overreach, calling its decision "absolutely wrong." Senior lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome accused the Appeal Court of stripping Plateau State residents of their voting rights, emphasizing the irreversible damage caused.
In response, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP has lodged petitions with the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Federal Judicial Service Commission, seeking redress for its members ousted by the Court of Appeal. The PDP's move is grounded in the Supreme Court's judgment reversing the governor's removal and the concurring opinions of the justices.
Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Abdullahi, stated, "We are going to seek redress on the members of parliament concerned - Senate, House of Representatives, and House of Assembly."
Former Plateau State Governor, Senator Jonah Jang, echoed this sentiment, confirming that the PDP has petitioned the NJC to review all judgments involving Plateau State delivered by the Court of Appeal. Jang emphasized the impact of the miscarriage of justice on the people's representation in both state and national assemblies.
