Supreme court delivers judgment on Plateau gov poll Friday

The Supreme Court will on Friday deliver judgment in an appeal filed by the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, challenging the nullification of his election by the Court of Appeal.

The acting Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, P.E. Dakyen, confirmed the judgment date in a statement on Thursday.

The statement read “Take notice that judgment in the Plateau State Governorship Appeal at the Supreme Court is scheduled to be delivered on Friday, January 12, 2024.

“Our counsel has been officially notified, hence this notice.

The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress also confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday, while calling on its members to remain calm as the apex court delivers the expected judgment.

In the statement signed by its state Publicity Secretary, Sylvanus Namang, the APC said, “As the Supreme Court sitting in Abuja rules on the Plateau State governorship case tomorrow, Friday, January 12, 2024, the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State is calling on all its members, supporters and well-wishers to be calm and refrain from any act contrary to our culture of maintaining decorum and peace in all our conducts.

“Whatever direction the decision of the apex court goes, the APC which has been a respecter of the rule of law and a strong believer in our judicial system, would welcome the outcome in good faith.

“The APC in the state enjoins security agencies in the state to be extra vigilant to ensure that law and order is maintained.

“The party wishes to restate its position on the respect for constitutionalism and rule of law which are sacrosanct for democracy and good governance.”

Echonaija reports that the elections Petitions Tribunal had earlier upheld the election of the governor on the platform of the PDP.

However, the Court of Appeal nullified the verdict in an appeal filed by the candidate of the APC, Nentawe Yiltwatda, on the grounds that the PDP which nominated the governor as a candidate had no structure at the time of his nomination.

The development prompted Mutfwang to file an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge the lower court’s decision.

At the hearing of the appeal on Tuesday, a five-member panel of the Supreme Court led by John Okoro took arguments from lawyers to parties in the case.

After arguments between Mutfwang’s lawyer, Kanu Agabi, and Yilwatda’s counsel, J.O Olatoke, the Supreme Court said a date for judgment would be communicated to parties in the suit.