The Plateau State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing new challenges after the election petition tribunal in Jos issued a decision that resulted in the removal of two of the party’s members from the state House of Assembly.
The two members in question are Maren Ishaku, who represents Bokkos, and Timothy Datong, who represents Riyom constituency in the legislative assembly and was elected on the PDP platform during the 2015 general election.
The election petition tribunal has declared Wallangko Sylvester Ibrahim and Moses Dachum, both affiliated with the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the rightful winners of the contested election.
This decision marks the latest blow to the Plateau State PDP, which has seen its fortunes diminish in recent legal battles. The Justice Tukur-led tribunal panel has now removed a total of eight PDP lawmakers from their positions, including members of the House of Representatives and a senator, all on similar grounds. The tribunal has consistently declared candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party, who came second in the elections, as the rightful winners.
The basis for these removals stemmed from petitions that challenged the election of Ishaku and Datong. The petitioners argued that, at the time of their nomination by the PDP to contest the election, the party lacked a valid structure, rendering it unqualified to sponsor candidates for an election.
The decisions made by the tribunal highlight the significance of party organization and adherence to electoral rules and regulations. As the Plateau State PDP grapples with these legal setbacks, it faces a critical period of introspection and rebuilding, with the need to re-establish itself as a credible and lawful political force in the state.
