The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday sacked eleven lawmakers affiliated with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Plateau State assembly. The panel, led by Justice Okon Abang, unanimously held that the dismissed lawmakers had received wasted votes during the March 2023 general election due to the lack of structure in their party.
Justice Abang emphasized that the PDP violated Section 177 of the 1999 constitution, rendering it incapable of sponsoring candidates in the election. Consequently, the court declared all the second runners-up in the March 18 elections as winners.
The lawmakers affected by the decision are Hon. Timothy Dantong (Riyom), Hon. Rimyat Nanbol (Langtang North Central), Moses Sule (Mikang), Salome Waklek (Pankshin), Hon. Bala Fwangji (Mangu South), Hon. Maren Ishaku (Bokkos), Hon. Dagogot (Quaanpan North), Nannim Langyi (Langtang North North), Nimchak Rims (Langtang South), Hon. Danjuma Azi (Jos North West), Gwottson Fom (Jos South), and Hon. Abubakar Sani Idris (Mangu North).
With this development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerges as the leading party in the Plateau State parliament, reshaping the political landscape in the region.