APC urges Plateau Speaker to swear in members affirmed by Appeal Court
By ZAKAA LAZARUS-Abuja.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) National Working Committee (NWC) has charged the Speaker of Plateau House of Assembly, Gabriel Dawang, to swear in the party’s 16 house members affirmed by the Court of Appeal as duly elected.
Mr Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, made the call while speaking with newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja, saying the speaker’s refusal to swear in the 16 members was wrong and undemocratic.
The 16 members include Nimchak Nansak, Dagogot Owen, Maiyaki Bala, Daniel Listick, Laven Jacob, Adamu Yanga, Kwarpo Sylvanus, Yusuf Chollom and Bendel Nanewat.
They were issued Certificates of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Dec. 24, 2023, after the Election Petitions Tribunal and Court of Appeal sacked 16 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“The intransigence of the Speaker and the Governor of the state in this matter is wrong, undemocratic and violently contemptuous of the authority of the Court of Appeal.
“The highest court for the determination of election petition matters as it concerns the House of Assembly,” Morka said.
He therefore advised the speaker to swear in the members without further delay in the interest of peace in Plateau.
Besides, he said the party’s NWC had resolved to commence the update of its member’s register nationwide in one state from the six geopolitical zones, starting with Niger.
“The intransigence of the Speaker and the Governor of the state in this matter is wrong, undemocratic and violently contemptuous of the authority of the Court of Appeal.
“The highest court for the determination of election petition matters as it concerns the House of Assembly,” Morka said.
He therefore advised the speaker to swear in the members without further delay in the interest of peace in Plateau.
Besides, he said the party’s NWC had resolved to commence the update of its member’s register nationwide in one state from the six geopolitical zones, starting with Niger.
He added that the NWC also adopted in its entirety, the report of its high level Reconciliation and Intervention Delegation to its United Kingdom’s Diaspora Chapter.
“In particular, the NWC approved the constitution of an Interim Executive Committee of the chapter of 24 members to be led by its Chairman, Tunde Doherty, and Secretary, Joseph Adebola.
“he Interim Executive Committee shall have a term of three months, which may be renewed as may be necessary,” he said.
