The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State says the pledge by the sacked legislators to return to the Plateau State House of Assembly is a call for anarchy.
The 16 members elected on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were dismissed by the Court of Appeal for lack of party structure in the state.
But on Monday, lawmakers told reporters in Jos that they would return to the Assembly because the Supreme Court criticized their dismissal.
The APC State Publicity Secretary, Sylvanus Namang, however, warned against the sacked legislators’ plan.
In a statement made available to journalists in Jos, Namang said: “What began last week as a veiled threat by a former Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon Istifanus Caleb Mwansat, during his infamous interview with AIT is quickly becoming a reality. .
“The APC and all peace-loving citizens of Plateau State hoped that he should not walk the streets as a free citizen after his incendiary outbursts. The APC wishes to state in clear terms that the plans and threats of the dismissed members contemplating any resumption of their functions as members are not only an assault on our democracy but an insurrection against the State, being a blatant contempt of Court.
“The APC fortunately accepted, for the sake of democracy and peaceful coexistence, the ruling of the Supreme Court and appealed to our members not to undertake anything contrary to what they obeyed.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Supreme Court ruling granting victory to the Governor is personal to him and has no multiplying or indirect effect on anyone who has already been fired. Furthermore, no case relating to the National and State Assembly elections was brought before the Supreme Court. The orbiter ruling pronounced by Justice Okoro on the fate of the sacked legislators cannot be said to have the force of law.
“The judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed the 16 members of the PDP State Assembly and all its members of the National Assembly, has a seal of finality that cannot be overturned by any court in the country in accordance with Section 246 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). ).
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“Just as we have accepted, as true democrats, the decision of the Supreme Court, the PDP has no choice but to accept the fate that has befallen them and wait for the next electoral circle. We call on all branches of the state security agencies to up the ante in handling any illegal acts as the Plateau State House of Assembly resumes its sessions tomorrow, January 23, 2023.
“Plateau State, which stands on a very delicate security tripod after so many unrest that has consumed thousands of unsuspecting lives, cannot afford this very avoidable threat and legislative attack,” the APC warned.