PLATEAU: PDP vs PLASIEC: SHOW US THE LAW THAT EMPOWERS YOU TO BAR A POLITICAL PARTY FROM CONTESTING ELECTION. PWAJOK (SAN) VEHEMENTLY REQUESTED

By: Valentine Adese (JP),

The Court of Appeal, Jos Division has adjourned the matter between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Plateau State Independent Electoral Commission (PLASIEC) for Judgment, after parties had adopted their briefs filed in the matter.

While adopting the brief of the Appellant (PDP), E. G. Pwajok (SAN) leading Chief S. Odey (Esq), had asked the Respondent (PLASIEC), to show any Law in the country that empowers it to bar any political party from contesting Plateau State Local Government elections.

Pwajok (SAN), in what he termed a “Funny Surprise”, told the Court that, while the National Umpire is recognizing PDP in an election that is due in the state, the State Umpire, PLASIEC, was barring PDP from election in the same state.

“The Respondent is trying to deregister the PDP in Plateau State yet; PDP is exists in the books of INEC and will be contesting in the forthcoming elections in the state. Is this not a surprise? Pwajok (SAN) asked.

PLATEAU STATE HIGH COURT

You would recall that, PLASIEC had refused to acknowledge the list of PDP candidates in the Local Government elections conducted in the 17 LG in the state and subsequently PLASIEC also refused to issue forms to the candidates and the party. This necessitated the suit at the Lower Court.

Not being satisfied with the outcome of the suit as delivered by Hon. Justice I. Kunda, on the 29^th of September, 2021, the PDP appealed to the Court of Appeal.

However, while reacting to the question of the PDP’s Counsel, G. S. Pwul SAN, Counsel to PLASIEC, drew the attention of the Court to a subsisting Judgment of a Lower Court, marked as “Exhibit H” in the transmitted record before the Court.

He said, “That is the Law that empowers PLASIEC”.

PWAJOK SAN

While Pwajok (SAN) urged the Court to allow the Appeal and grant the reliefs sought, Pwul (SAN) on his part, urged the Court to Dismiss the Appeal.

It is of note that, the Appeal filed by the PDP against the Plateau State High Court Judgment delivered on 29^th September, 2021 has 13 issues in its brief for the Court to determine, while urging the Court of Appeal to nullify the Local Government elections conducted by PLASIEC (Respondent) on 9^th October, 2021, in defiance to the pendency of the Appeal.