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.
The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the 2027 election in Kaduna State, Usman Shehu Bawa, ABG, has suspended all his campaign activities following the death of three party members in a fatal motor accident.
The victims died on their way home after attending a meeting in Kaduna.
A statement issued by his spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, said the gubernatorial candidate expressed deep sorrow over the death of the party members.
He explained that the inauguration of his campaign council, and other related activities planned for Saturday have been suspended till further notice.
He expressed regret for the inconvenience the suspension may have caused, particularly to individuals invited for the occasion.
The three deceased members are all from Jema’a Local Government Area of the state and are identified as Caleb Ishaya Alot – Secretary of PDP, Jema'a LGA, Mercy Achi – Women leader, Wise Ward and Charity Bahago – member of the PDP, Wise Ward.
According to Shehu ABG, "The incident is a painful loss to the bereaved families and the entire PDP family in the state."
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the immediate families and the people of Jema’a Local Government Area and members of the party in the state over the painful loss.
He also prayed for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries in the accident.
Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has inaugurated the Tinubu/Alia 2027 Campaign Council as the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Benue begins preparations for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Alia in the 2027 general elections.
Alia said Nigeria and Benue State had no reason to look elsewhere, insisting that he was steadily delivering on his promises while President Tinubu was also making progress and providing relentless support to the state to regain its lost glory.
The Tinubu/Alia Campaign Council, which has Hon Citizen Richard Asema as Director-General, was inaugurated by the governor at IBB Square on Thursday. The event was followed by the commissioning of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Campaign Office at Wurukum, Makurdi.
Speaking during the occasion, Governor Alia charged members of the council to demonstrate unity, commitment and dedication, describing their appointments as a reflection of the confidence reposed in them by the party leadership and the people of Benue State.
The governor also urged party members in the state to put aside personal grievances, embrace reconciliation and work collectively towards securing victory for the APC in the forthcoming elections.
He described the Director-General, Citizen Asema, as an experienced political leader with the capacity to coordinate the campaign and deliver the desired result.
Highlighting his achievements in office, Governor Alia attributed the successes recorded by his administration in security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture and industrialisation to the cooperation and support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government.
He particularly acknowledged federal interventions that had strengthened security operations and supported efforts to restore peace to previously troubled communities in the state.
The governor also listed the recruitment of 9,700 primary school teachers, improvements in public school infrastructure, regular payment of salaries and pensions, road construction and the establishment of agricultural processing facilities among the achievements of his administration.
He noted that the partnership between the state and the federal government had contributed significantly to these developments.
On infrastructure, the governor disclosed that efforts to connect all 23 local government areas of the state through road networks were nearing completion, with approximately 25 per cent of the work remaining.
He also cited the revival and completion of previously abandoned projects, including Taraku Mills, the International Conference Centre at IBB Square and the Cancer Centre at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, as evidence of his administration's commitment to continuity.
He promised that, if re-elected, he would concentrate on consolidating existing achievements rather than starting new projects from scratch.
According to the governor, his administration remained committed to implementing its development blueprint since assuming office in 2023 and would focus on sustaining ongoing initiatives, strengthening completed projects and ensuring that public investments delivered lasting benefits if re-elected in 2027.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor further stated that industrialisation, agriculture and strategic investments in education, healthcare and commerce would remain central to his administration's determination to break the cycle of poverty and expand economic opportunities for the people.
He expressed confidence that Benue's enormous agricultural potential, coupled with its emerging oil and gas prospects, could provide the state with the resources needed to build a stronger economy and generate substantial internal revenue, thereby reducing its dependence on federal allocations.