After a prolonged legal battle, Hon. Gabriel Dewan, the Speaker of the Plateau House of Assembly, has administered the oath of office to nine of the 16 victorious All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers, following a directive from the Court of Appeal.
The newly sworn-in legislators emerged victorious after the Court of Appeal nullified the election of the 16 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) members, citing their party’s disqualification from sponsoring candidates.
Initially, Speaker Dewan refrained from swearing in the APC members, citing a court order pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by the ousted PDP lawmakers contesting the Appeal Court’s verdict.
The oath-taking ceremony took place at the Old Government House, where the House is currently holding its sessions.
However, seven of the declared winners were not inaugurated, purportedly due to their reluctance to resign from their positions.
Sources suggest that those sworn in did so under the condition of resignation, with the understanding that failure to comply would result in their removal from office.
