Court sacks top Nigerian Senator

The Appeal Court in Abuja has sacked Senate minority leader Senator Simon Mwadkwon.

The court’s ruling, issued on Sunday, declared Mwadkwon’s election null and void, while ordering a re-run election in the Plateau North Senatorial District.

The court’s decision rested on multiple grounds.

Firstly, it concluded that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had not validly nominated Mwadkwon as its candidate.

Furthermore, the court highlighted a lack of full compliance with the Electoral Act, with twelve Local Government Areas (LGA) failing to participate in the congress organized by the PDP.

Additionally, non-compliance with a subsisting court order played a pivotal role in this verdict.

In light of the pursuit of due process, the court determined that a fresh election for the Plateau North Senatorial seat was necessary.

Consequently, the PDP will not participate in the upcoming rerun elections, as declared by the Appeal Court.

This ruling stems from a protracted legal battle involving Gyang Yaya Zi and the Labour Party (LP) as the 1st and 2nd Appellants, along with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Senator Simon Mwadkwon, and the PDP, who functioned as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respondents in the case.

The Plateau North Senatorial District will now undergo a re-run election within 90 days to determine its new representative.