The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Calls for Review of Court of Appeal Verdicts on Plateau State Elections

On Wednesday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demanded a review of the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the senatorial poll in Plateau State.

The party also called for the disbandment of the panel of justices who presided over the case.

During a press conference in Abuja, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, expressed concern over the alleged contradictory judgments delivered by the Plateau Appeal Court panel.

Ologunagba stated, “The people of Plateau State are disturbed by allegations circulating in public that the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel has been heavily compromised and influenced by the failed All Progressives Congress in Plateau State. This alleged compromise aims to undermine the will of the people by overturning elections clearly won by the PDP and awarding them to the APC. This is evident in the panel’s inexplicably varying judgments on the same election context and circumstances.”

According to the PDP spokesperson, “In the case of Plateau North Senatorial District, won by Senator Simon Mwadkwon of the PDP with the APC candidate coming third, the panel curiously annulled the PDP’s victory and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a rerun election involving all parties.

“In the case of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, won by Hon. Musa Agar of the PDP with the APC candidate also coming third, the panel annulled the PDP’s victory and ordered a rerun that excluded the PDP.

“In the third appeal case of Shendam/Quaan-Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency, won by Hon. Isaac Kwallu of the PDP with John Dafwan of the APC as the runner-up, the Appeal Court Justices annulled the victory of the PDP candidate, declared the APC candidate the outright winner, and ordered the withdrawal of the Certificate of Return issued to the victorious PDP candidate. They further instructed that a fresh Certificate of Return be issued to the APC candidate.”

Ologunagba emphasized that these judgments had escalated tension in Plateau State.

“Given the circumstances, the PDP, in alignment with the aspirations and expectations of the people of Plateau State, demands the following:

1. The President of the Court of Appeal should immediately disband the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel.

2. A new Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel should be constituted to hear the remaining appeals since the current panel has demonstrated clear bias in favor of APC candidates.

3. The continued retention of the present Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel will be perceived by the people of Plateau State as an act of insensitivity and injustice.”