Ex-youth leaders in Plateau calls NJC, others to investigate Tribunal Ruling

The forum of former youth leaders (Veterans) in Plateau state has call upon the National Judicial Council (NJC) which is an organ of the law, as well as the anti-graft agencies to investigate the unprofessional and contradictory judgements delivered by Justice M. B. Tukur in opposition to preceding judgement of the presidential tribunal of corresponding jurisdiction in respect of Plateau state senatorial and House Representative elections against the weight of evidence and the rule of law.

Recall that the tribunal started handing down its verdicts during the previous three weeks, where the veterans were shocked and appalled to see the contradictory rulings for the state’s members at the National Assembly.

On behalf of the chairman of the forum, Mr Yakubu Ibrahim Itse disclosed to journalists in Jos that In line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the fabricated and extensively speculated question of structure, upon which the aggrieved petitioners anchored their optimisms in their suit against the PDP, was unfalteringly thrown out and effortlessly quashed by the earlier Judgment pronounced by Justice William Rotimi and his other two Justices at a tribunal of same jurisdiction.

“Having confirmed the validity of PDP’s structure as evidenced by the plethora of earlier court Judgments that PDP had complied with the judgments of Justice Gang and Kunda and; in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, (as amended), Electoral Act 2022 as well as chapter 8 of the PDP Constitution, the tribunal, in the cases between Sen. Simon Mwadkon Vs others; Hon. Musa A. Agah Vs others, the professional judgment of the tribunal is resounding and commendable. In a similar professional ruling in the case of Hon Isaa’ac Kwallu vs others, the tribunal maintained similar cultured stance which practically have laid to rest the question of whether or not PDP has a structure. The tribunal in these cases unequivocally ruled that nomination and sponsorship of candidates for elections, was the singular duty of the Party and that the procedure of contesting such nomination was limited to, only members of that party, which must be through a Federal High Court”. He added

He stressed that “The above decision is correct and in compliance with the provisions of our relevant laws. Also, it was the considered opinion and conviction of the tribunal that the issue on nomination of candidates is a pre-election matter that should not form part of an election petition. With that valid and reverberating judgment the matter of structure and nomination of candidates was eternally put to rest”

However, in the subsequent contradictory judgement delivered by Justice M. B. Tukur, on the 11th September, 2023, the respective victories of Hon. Peter Gyendeng, Hon. Musa Bagos and Hon. Beni Lar of Barkin Ladi and Riyom; Jos South and Jos East; and Langtang North and Langtang South Federal Constituencies as well as the election of Sen Napoleon Bali of Plateau South Senatorial District were unjustly overturned on same grounds as the first judgements. He stated.

“We assert that for Justice Tukur to singly contradict his learned colleagues who had earlier upheld the elections of Sen. Simon Mwadkon, Hon. Musa A. Agah and Hon Isaac Kwallu on the same grounds tantamount to sowing a seed of discord and chaos in the state”.

“While we respect the sanctity of the Nigerian Judiciary, we nevertheless are perturbed about this recent judicial debacle that is capable of setting the State in a needless strife. This development is awfully troubling to us”

Mr Yakubu Ibrahim Itse further stated that the National Judicial Council and organs of the law, as well as the anti-graft agencies should investigate the matter for any external or pecuniary motivations that have probably informed the decision of the Said-Justices.

“The tribunal justices and lawyers be made to attend retreats to further sharpen, strengthen and improve their understanding of the Law before the commencement of any tribunal case” He added.