A coalition of youths representing Plateau State’s 17 local government areas, operating under the banner of Plateau Support Network (PSN), has made a fervent appeal to the judiciary. Their plea is for a reversal of the Court of Appeal’s decision that removed Governor Caleb Mutfwang from office.
Conducting a solidarity march in Jos, the group emphasized the importance of the judiciary recognizing the mandate bestowed upon Mutfwang by the people of Plateau State.
Governor Mutfwang’s victory, along with that of various members of the national and state assemblies in the February 25 and March 18, 2023, general elections, was invalidated by the Court of Appeal last month. The court’s decision was grounded on the absence of a valid structure for their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the state, leading to the nullification of the candidates’ nominations.
This judgement has elicited widespread criticism and disapproval.
PSN’s spokesman, Sokshak Shikse, said Mutfwang’s victory at the polls “was received with wild celebrations across the state, which lasted for days on end.”
According to him: “Governor Caleb Mutfwang, in justifying the mandate given to him and being cognisant of the dreams, hopes, and aspirations of his people, immediately swung to the onerous action of governance.
“Within months after his inauguration, his administration made tangible progress in providing security, roads and amenities, and human capital development, among other developmental strides.”
The PSN spokesperson further averred that the people of Plateau have, within a short time, witnessed Muftwang’s exemplary leadership, a quality that he said the state has been bereft of for many years.
“These and much more are the reasons the Plateau Support Network (PSN) and indeed responsible citizens of the state have gathered here to express our unequivocal, unalloyed, and resounding support and vote of confidence for His Excellency, Barrister Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, and his ‘The Time is Now’ administration through this solidarity walk,” he stated.
Shikse said further: “We only ask that the courts recognise and respect the mandate given by the people to this administration and strictly adhere to the provisions of the constitution regarding the process of its judgements at the petitions tribunal.
“We have faith in the hallowed chambers of the judiciary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and believe that her worthy justices will execute temperance and an unwavering sense of justice while hearing and judging the election petition case at the Supreme Court, God helping them.”
