The Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal sitting in Jos, yesterday, affirmed the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected governor of Plateau State.
Justice Sunday Olorundaosi in a two and a half judgment on behalf of the panel, dismissed the prayers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate Dr Nentawe Yilwatda.
Olorundaosi who read the judgment on behalf of the tribunal chairman, Justice Rita Ilere-Ifijeh, dismissed the three grounds of the petitioners seeking to nullify the election of Mutfwang.
“Ground one which was non-qualification of the candidate; the tribunal verdict is that it is status bar because it is a pre-election matter and the tribunal does have the jurisdiction to entertain it.
“On non-compliance with the Electoral Act, there is no evidence tendered before the tribunal by the petitioners that the conduct of election of March 18, was not in accordance with substantial compliance by the first respondent, which is the INEC.
“Third ground that the second respondent did score the majority of lawful votes cast; the tribunal is of the view that the burden of proof lies with the petitioners to provide evidence.
“Unfortunately, they failed to do so and rely on the final result of the election declared by INEC,” he stated.
Counsel to Mutfwang, Mr Akeledolu Kehinde (SAN) lauded the judgment delivered on the three issues that were brought before the tribunal.
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Kehinde said that the tribunal decided that it was not in the place of the petitioner to start stretching his neck from his own compound into another man’s compound to see what is happening there.
“That means that the petitioner has no locus standi to challenge the nomination of the governor who is in another party from that of the petitioner.”
PDP counsel, Mr Emeka Etiaba, in his reaction, said that what was important was that the petition had been consigned to where it belongs to.
Etiaba said that they listened to the judgment and saw that it was diligently written and delivered.
“So, for those who are threatening to go on appeal, everyone has his own judgment so you can go and study some more. We believe that the judges have done justice today.”
Mr Edward Pwajok (SAN), counsel to Yilwatda and the APC said that his clients would challenge the judgment at the Appeal Court.
Pwajok appealed to Plateau citizens and supporters to be calm and peaceful because there is a judicial system that encourages appeals.
“You are all aware that in Nigeria, sometimes, decisions of lower courts have been overturned in the appellate courts.”
Thanking God and the people of Plateau for his victory, Governor Mutfwang lauded the judiciary for administering justice in tandem with the law.
“I want to thank God Almighty who has made this possible. I want to thank the people of Plateau State who have stood by us.
“And I want to thank their lordships for having the heart to do according to the dictates of their conscience and according to law,” he said.
He assured the people for Plateau of his commitment to delivering on his promises, saying that he would henceforth concentrate on shoring up the implementation of his administration’s policies and programmes.
“We will become more proactive in the days to come and the programmes we have started, we will accelerate.
“We will ensure that we move at the best speed so that we can deliver on the promises we have made to our people,” he said.