In a recent turn of events, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has declared Nimchak Nansak of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Langtang north-north constituency poll for the Plateau State House of Assembly, leading to APC now holding 22 seats, while the PDP has lost its 16 seats in the State House of Assembly.
This ruling overturns the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Nannim Langyi from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the initial winner.
The three-member panel of justices, in a unanimous decision on Saturday, determined that Langyi was not qualified to contest the election.
The court asserted that the PDP structure in Plateau collapsed in 2020, rendering the party incapable of sponsoring any candidate.
Abang Okon, the lead justice, declared all votes received by the PDP candidate as wasted and a nullity.
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“Nimchak Abel Nansak of the APC, who scored the majority of the lawful votes is hereby declared winner and is returned as the duly elected member of the state house of assembly to represent the good people of Langtang north-north constituency of Plateau state,” the judge stated.
This development shifts the balance in the assembly, with the APC now holding 22 seats, while the PDP has lost all 16 of its seats.
In a parallel ruling on November 19, the Court of Appeal in Abuja also ousted Mutfwang Manasseh as the governor of Plateau.
Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, the presiding judge, determined that Manasseh was not validly sponsored by the PDP for the election.
The court directed the electoral commission to issue a fresh certificate of return to Nentawe Goshwe, the APC candidate.
These legal decisions mark a significant political realignment in Plateau State, reshaping the composition of the State Assembly and the executive leadership.