Hundreds of Plateau youths, along with women and children, have taken to the streets of Jos, the state capital, to express their vehement displeasure with what they view as “inconsistent tribunal and Court of Appeal judgments.”
These rulings specifically target the removal of state and National Assembly members who were elected under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State.
Notably, the Court of Appeal has unseated no less than four PDP National Assembly members, including Senate Minority Leader Simon Mwadkwon, on the grounds that the PDP lacked a valid structure in the state.
The protestors, resolutely rejecting these court decisions, have resorted to blocking the Jos-Abuja Highway, creating substantial traffic disruptions and leaving countless travelers stranded. Additionally, a significant gathering of demonstrators has congregated at the well-known Mararaba Jamaa Roundabout, where they are singing anti-judiciary songs and igniting road-blocking bonfires.
Their primary accusation centers on the All Progressives Congress (APC), which they assert is manipulating the Appeal Court to install unpopular candidates who were rejected by the electorate during the 2023 general elections, thus circumventing the democratic process.
Protesters have been seen brandishing placards with diverse inscriptions, conveying messages such as “The ballot is supreme,” “Do not kill our democracy,” “PDP is alive,” “Return people’s mandate,” and “We want justice,” among others.
As this report is being filed, security personnel are actively working to disperse another faction of demonstrators who have convened at the Old Airport Road.
They are loudly denouncing the court verdicts and issuing a call to the National Judicial Council to intervene in all cases within the Appeal Court that involve the PDP and its Plateau-based candidates.
