Politics

Plateau Election Petition Tribunal Removes Speaker, Orders Fresh Election

Published

3 years ago

September 30, 2023

vicky

In a significant turn of events, the Plateau State Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Jos, has removed Rt. Hon. Moses Sule, a member of the PDP, from his position as the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly. The tribunal based its decision on the PDP’s failure to comply with a court order mandating the party to conduct a fresh election for its state executive.

The three-member tribunal delivered a unanimous judgment, stating that the PDP lacked the necessary structure in Plateau State to field a candidate for the election. As a result, it ruled that the votes cast for the PDP in the March 18, 2023 election for the Plateau State House of Assembly in Mikang Constituency were effectively wasted.

In its ruling, the tribunal directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return from Rt. Hon. Moses Sule and award it to Hon. Naanlong Daniel Gapyil of the APC, who had come second in the same election.

Following the tribunal’s verdict, Sunday S. Obende, the legal counsel representing the petitioner, expressed gratitude for the diligent pursuit of justice. He thanked the tribunal members for their thorough handling of the case and prayed for their continued wisdom and promotion.

It’s worth noting that Hon. Naanlong Daniel Gapyil, the immediate former Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, had filed the petition against INEC, Hon. Moses Sule, and the PDP. His petition cited three grounds for disqualification: the lack of a valid PDP structure in Plateau State to nominate him, instances of over-voting in several polling units across the constituency during the election, and other irregularities.

Responding to the tribunal’s decision, Hon. Naanlong Daniel Gapyil dedicated his victory to both the people of Mikang, who had faith in his ability to bring democratic representation to their constituency, and to a higher power. He highlighted his past service in the 8th and 9th assemblies as evidence of his commitment to the people’s welfare.

This development has undoubtedly sent shockwaves through Plateau State’s political landscape, with implications for the leadership of the State House of Assembly. The political fallout from this decision is likely to reverberate across the state’s political circles in the coming days and weeks.

Related Topics:plateau Plateau Election Petition Tribunal Removes Speaker

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Obasanjo meets Kwankwaso in Kano ahead of 2027 elections

Published

2 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Preport

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, on Thursday paid a courtesy visit to the Vice-Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, at his residence in Kano State.

Obasanjo was received by Kwankwaso alongside the NDC governorship candidate in Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo.

The visit was confirmed in a statement issued by Kwankwaso’s media aide, Saifullahi Hassan, who described the meeting as an occasion for cordial interactions and warm exchanges between the political leaders.

However, details of the discussions held during the closed-door meeting were not disclosed.

Kwankwaso, who served as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence during Obasanjo’s second term in office between 2003 and 2007, has maintained a longstanding political relationship with the former president.

The meeting has further fuelled speculations about possible political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in light of reports suggesting efforts to strengthen opposition collaboration.

NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, is widely regarded as a close ally of Obasanjo, who publicly supported him during the 2023 presidential election.

News

Atiku, ADC can’t recover from Babachir Lawal’s damage – Imran Wakili

Published

5 hours ago

June 26, 2026

Preport

Political commentator, Imran Wakili has claimed that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar may be unable to recover from the political setbacks allegedly caused by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.

In a post shared on X on Thursday, Wakili argued that Babachir’s actions had led to the exit of several prominent political figures from the ADC, leaving the party significantly weakened.

“The damage Babachir did to Atiku and ADC—there is no coming back from it! BINDOW is GONE, nobody is left in ADC except Atiku himself.

“Bindow gone, why? Babachir. Abbo gone, why? Babachir. Binani gone, why? Babachir. Nyako gone, why? Babachir. Nafiu Bala legal case, why? Babachir,” Wakili wrote.

DAILY POST recalls that Lawal resigned his membership of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, last month.

The former SGF said he could not remain in a party he accused of operating a “rigging machine” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also accused Atiku and his allies of pursuing ethnic and religious interests, arguing that the former vice president’s emergence as a presidential candidate would ultimately strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term.