Long-Awaited Justice: Plateau State House of Assembly Swears in Remaining APC Lawmakers

In a significant development, the Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, Gabriel Dewan, has finally sworn in the five remaining members of the All Progressive Congress (APC) on Wednesday, nearly a year after the Appeal Court declared them winners of the 2023 election in their respective constituencies.

The drama began in November 2023 when the Appeal Court sacked all lawmakers elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared their APC counterparts winners in all the constituencies. The PDP lawmakers were disqualified due to the party’s lack of structure to nominate them as candidates in the elections. However, the Speaker, Gabriel Dewan, refused to swear in the APC candidates, leaving them in limbo.

In April 2024, some of the lawmakers were eventually sworn in by the Speaker, but the remaining five – Owen Dagogot (Quan Pan North), Theodore Maiyaki (Quan Pan South), Yakubu Sanda (Pengana), Dachung Dadon (Riyom), and Dalyop Gyang (Shendam South) – were left waiting for nearly six months.

On Wednesday, 11th September, 2024, the Speaker finally swore in the remaining five APC lawmakers, bringing an end to the long-standing uncertainty. This development is expected to have significant implications for the political landscape in Plateau State and the country as a whole.

The swearing-in ceremony marks a significant step towards restoring democratic norms and ensuring that the people’s representatives are properly represented in the House of Assembly. The delay in swearing in the lawmakers had raised concerns about the legitimacy of the government and the effectiveness of the Assembly in representing the people’s interests.

As the political landscape in Plateau State continues to evolve, this development is a significant step towards restoring stability and ensuring that the people’s voices are heard.