The main opposition Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau State has vowed to appeal the judgment of a state high court barring the party from participating in the forthcoming local government elections in the state.
The PDP said it was optimistic that the higher courts will uphold the inalienable right of the disenfranchised voters in the state.
Adding that there were so many contradictions and issues of summersaults in the judgment.
Speaking through its Counsel, Edward Pwajok (SAN), the party said, “Let’s say it loud and clear that we are going to file an appeal against the judgment.
“All the issues that were resolved by the Court, I must say that we are dissatisfied, and because we respected the law, we will go to the Court of Appeal, and we are optimistic that the Court will reverse the decisions”, he maintained.
“Because, from just listening to the judgment, there are so many contradictions, there were issues of summersaulting here and there”, he maintained.
“We commend the judge for the work he has done, but we say that because we feel that it was not the right judgment that was given, that is why we are going to the Court of Appeal.
“So we appeal to members of PDP, to be law-abiding, peaceful and to be optimistic; because thank God that the constitution has given them the right to appeal” he explained.
Edward further said, “Let me say that, one of the reasons some of us are not happy is that; PLASIEC and APC will be doing an exercise in futility, but the problem is that, it will be at the expense of Plateau people, as the state is very poor.
“Where would the state freter with the scarce resources on a fake election”, he asked.
According to him, “It is undemocratic not to allow the electorate the latitude to choose the people that will represent them as their councilors and chairmen.
“Now that Nigeria is a democracy, we are very optimistic that the higher courts will uphold the inalienable right of Plateau voters.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria further stated that “What will happen on the 9th October 2021, let me say it loud and clear, it will only be a charade, a fake exercise, but unfortunately at huge public expense.
“So APC, should not be laughing, they must prepare to face the people of Plateau.
“They must account for their misdid, misgovernance, at the appropriate”, he stressed.
InfoStride News recalls that a State High Court sitting in Jos, had on Wednesday dismissed a suit filed by the main opposition PDP, challenging the decision of the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) which had excluded the party from participating in the scheduled October 9, 2021, local government council polls.
Justice Ishaku Kunda, who delivered the judgment on the matter, upheld PLASIEC’s decision and said the suit by PDP lacked substance because the party could not abide by the guidelines of the commission in participating in the elections.
Kunda maintained that PLASIEC has the right to have refused PDP nomination and expression of interest forms for the said election; stressing that the PDP erred for not having followed the instructions.
The judge sighted the judgment of SP Gang of November 20th, 2020, which ordered the party to conduct state congress, the party went ahead to evoke sections of its constitution and dissolved the state EXCO and constituted a caretaker committee which conducted its primaries that produced the candidates which PLASIEC refused to issue forms.
In the circumstances, the judge held that all the steps and actions taken by the caretaker committee of PDP, including the conduct of the said primary elections were null and void.
“The entire claims in the submission of the claimant is hereby, dismissed,” the judge stated.
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