Supreme Court Delivers Judgment On Plateau Gov Election Friday

The Supreme Court set to deliver judgment on Friday in an appeal filed by the Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, contesting the Court of Appeal’s nullification of his election.

In a statement on Thursday, P.E. Dakyen, the Peoples Democratic Party’s interim legal adviser for the state, confirmed the judgment date.

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.

In a statement released on Thursday, the state branch of the All Progressives Congress also verified the news and urged its members to maintain composure while the supreme court issues the anticipated ruling.

In The statement that was signed by Sylvanus Namang, its state publicity secretary, APC state “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.”

According to The PUNCH, the elections petition tribunal had previously affirmed the governor’s election on the PDP platform.

On the other hand, the PDP, which had no organization when the governor was nominated, had no structure when the Court of Appeal overturned the decision in an appeal filed by Nentawe Yiltwatda, the APC candidate.

Mutfwang was compelled by this development to appeal the lower court’s ruling to the Supreme Court.

A five-member panel of the Supreme Court chaired by John Okoro heard arguments from attorneys representing the parties involved in the case on Tuesday during the appeal hearing.

Following a dispute between Yilwatda’s attorney, J.O. Olatoke, and Mutfwang’s attorney, Kanu Agabi, the Supreme Court said that the parties to the lawsuit will be notified of the date of judgment.