Plateau Gov., Mutfwang calls Appeal Court sacking ‘temporary setback,’ as reactions trail judgement

Embattled Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, has described the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja which invalidated his March 18, 2023 election victory and subsequent State Election Petitions Tribunal’s affirmation as a ‘temporary setback.’

Governor Mutfwang who also disclosed of plans to challenge the appellant court ruling at the Supreme Court further urged residents and indigenes of the state, Sunday, ‘to remain calm,’ as he assured them that his administration remains committed to the rule of law and the betterment of the state.’

Reacting to the ruling of the Court of Appeal, Sunday to invalidate his election victory, the governor in a press statement signed by his Director Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, expressed confidence in the mandate given to him by the people of Plateau State and asserted that it will be restored.

According to the statement, Mutfwang urged citizens to remain calm and assured them that his administration remains committed to the rule of law and the betterment of the state.

“We have unwavering faith in the judiciary and the Constitution of Nigeria,” the governor said.

Governor Mutfwang concluded with a strong appeal to supporters, as well as citizens of the state to maintain law and order, as he ­affirmed that Plateau will be victorious to the glory of God and reassured of his commitment to continually serve the state with dedication and integrity.

It would be recalled that, in a judgement delivered, Sunday, the appellant court also appeared to to have completed the sacking of all legislators of the state and National Assembly elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the state, as the latest Appeal Court ruling continues the trend of the past week which has seen over five lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at state and national levels sacked from office.

However, despite the latest ruling by the appellant court, Gov. Muftwang will remain in office as he can approach the Supreme Court to appeal. The apex court is the final arbiter for governorship and presidential elections while the Court of Appeal is the final arbiter for legislative elections.

In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel ruled that Gov.  Muftwang was not sponsored by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The court held that the appeal brought by Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was valid as the issue of qualification was both a pre and post-election matter under Section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution and Sections 80 and 82 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The court ruled that the failure of the PDP to comply with the order of the Plateau State High Court in Jos directing it to conduct valid ward, local governments and state congresses before nominating its candidates for the various elective posts was a breach of the law.

Therefore, the court set aside the judgement of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal describing it as ‘highly inconsistent and breach of fair hearing by relying on expunged witnesses’ statements to refuse Goshwe’s appeal.’

The panel ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Gov. Muftwang and issue a fresh one to Mr Goshwe of the APC.

Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the judgement by the Appeal court, as prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as well as the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state have expressed mixed reservations over Sunday’s development.

The Plateau State chapter of the APC, in its reaction over the victory of its candidate, Nentawe Goshwe in a statement issued in Jos, the state capital, by the party’s state publicity secretary, Sylvanus Namang, called on all its members to celebrate the victory with utmost modesty and decorum.

According to Namang, ‘the acrimony and disaffection which prevailed in the wake of the appeal should be put behind them as Plateau State was reduced to a laughing stock, which is most regrettable.’

The APC’s statement further called on security agencies in the state to be on red alert and vigilant to avert any act of breakdown of law and order while commending the Court of Appeal Judges for their meticulous, impartial and very professional handling of the appeal.

However, PDP party stalwarts like former senator representing Kaduna Central at the National Assembly, Shehu Sani, reacting via his X handle (@ShehuSani), Sunday, slammed the judiciary over what he called a ‘broad daylight robbery.’

“The Court of Appeal judgement against the electoral victory of the Plateau State Governor is unfortunate, unacceptable, and condemnable.

“A broad daylight heist of the will of the people. The bench is becoming the coffin of democracy.”

Also reacting, former Presidential aide and publisher of Pointblanknews, Mr Jackson Ude, berated the governor for failing to heed to his warning earlier of a grand design by those in government in the APC to boot him out of office.

Ude while reacting to the judgement of the court in a post on his official X handle, said that he warned Mutfwang ahead of time but was ignored by the governor.

It would be recalled that Mr Ude had,last Friday, revealed of a plan by those in the APC to manipulate the Judiciary in declaring a favourable judgement towards removing the Plateau governor from office, as the journalist also disclosed of a $5 million bride as inducement to the justices sitting in the Appeal Court panel.

“Former Governor Simon Lalong of plateau state and current Minister for Labour has shared $5million to Justice Dawoudu, Justice Akam and Justice Waziri to sack Governor Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and declare the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship candidate, Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, winner of the 2023 Governorship elections.

“Chief of staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu and Minister for Labour, Simon Lalong, met after the Lawyers Conference meeting in Abuja on Thursday and mandated Along to deliver the cash.

“Lalong immediately got into a private jet with Justice Waziri who is on the panel and flew to Lagos where the money was delivered to the Judges at the Marriott Hotel,” Ude had disclosed, adding further ‘the APC Government are bent on retaining plateau state.’

However, Mutfwang strangely dismissed Ude’s allegation, just as he distanced himself from the bribery report as ‘baseless and defamatory.’

“I wish to strongly condemn the baseless and defamatory allegations circulated by certain individuals, accusing judges of receiving a $5 million bribe for the nullification of my victory.

”I have demanded for thorough investigations by security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for the libelous publication.

”There is a need to ensure that that these individuals face the full consequences of the law with a view to setting a precedent that discourages similar misconduct,” the governor wrote via his X handle, Friday.

Meanwhile, reports of protests over the Appeal court judgement have emerged as residents and citizens registered their displeasure in condemning what they described as ‘stolen mandate.’

Protests were said to have erupted in In Jos South LGA, as angry pro-PDP youths converged on the Gyel Roundabout in large numbers to register their displeasure over the judgement.

A similar protest was also recorded in Angwan Rukuba junction in Jos North and Riyom LGAs of the state capital.