By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Security operatives were seen at a popular roundabout in Jos metropolis where both the supporters of the All Progressive Congress (APC), and the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), trooped out to celebrate and protest over the Appeal Court verdict on Sunday that sacked Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State.
It took a heavy deployment of security personnel to avert what would have been tagged another round of Jos crisis. https://sundiatapost.com/appeal-court-judgment-plateau-gov-mutfwang-calls-for-calm-heads-to-supreme-court/
However, normalcy returned when the PDP supporters paved way for the APC youths to celebrate their victory after much intervention from the gallant security operatives.
Recall that the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Sunday sacked the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang over a disobedience of a high court order which has ordered the PDP to go and re-conduct its party congresses.
However, failing to obey the court order, the Appeal Court sacked Mutfwang and all other PDP elected National Assembly and State Assembly members for lack of party structure.
However, responding to the Appeal Court victory, the candidate of the APC governorship flag bearer, who is now governor-elect as proscribed by the Appeal Court, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe said the victory is well deserved. https://sundiatapost.com/appeal-court-sacks-plateau-pdp-gov-mutfwang-declares-apc-candidate-winner/
According to a statement read on his behalf in Jos, by the former Nigeria’s Labour Congress Chairman,comrade Jibrin Banchir Goshwe said: “I welcome my victory at the Court of Appeal, which declared me as the rightful winner of the March 18th gubernatorial election in Plateau State, having scored the highest lawful votes as thoroughly examined and confirmed by law.
“You will recall that immediately the election umpire erred by announcing my opponent in the PDP as winner, I admonished you all to remain calm as I will explore every legal means to retrieve back your lawful mandate.
“Today, I stand tall to say the outcome of these long months of legal battle from the Tribunal to the Appeal Court has vindicated my inherent belief that I, and indeed Plateau people, have been short changed of the opportunity to witness the implementation of our ACEES agenda, which by now, would have started yielding positive results.
However, it is better late than never!
“As a principle of personal conviction, I don’t gloat in moments such as this. Instead, I wish to, in all humility, accept this victory as the will of God Almighty for Plateau State.
“I also warmly welcome my opponent’s decision to Appeal this victory at the Supreme Court. My indefatigable legal team is more than ready to defend this emphatic victory at the apex court of the land. It is also my view that this case, which is novel according to the Appeal Court, will set a precedent and add value to our legal jurisprudence.
“Expectedly, as we journey through the final leg of this legal battle, I appeal to all political actors across party lines to consider the peace of the land and behave with utmost sense of patriotism. The vitriolic attacks are unnecessary. Let us put the Plateau first and stop heating the polity.
“Let me add that as we celebrate this judgement, I wish to call on all my supporters and APC members in general to be magnanimous in victory and celebrate victory with modesty and decorum and utmost respect to the sensibilities of our opponents.
”I admonish us all to be practitioners of the decency and decorum we are known for.
“This victory is not for Nentawe, this victory is for all Plateau people and lovers of democracy and the rule of law,” the statement stated.
