Mutfwang seeks justice for Plateau lawmakers sacked by appeal court

Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau, has demanded justice for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the state who were sacked by the court of appeal.

The governor spoke on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the headquarters of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) in Abuja.

The court of appeal had nullified the election of PDP members in the state assembly, house of representatives, and senate.

The lawmakers were removed by the court over invalid nomination by the PDP.

The court held that the PDP structure in Plateau collapsed in 2020 and that the party did not have a structure to sponsor any candidate for an election.

Mutfwang’s election as governor was nullified by the appeal court on the aforementioned premise.

But on January 12, the supreme court reversed the judgment of the appeal court.

In upholding Mutfwang’s election, the apex court ruled that the tribunal and appeal court cannot determine the issue of validity of a party’s candidate.

The supreme court held that matters of the national executive council, and administration of a political party, are internal affairs of the party and cannot be entertained by the tribunal or the court of appeal.

Asked by journalists to comment on the matter, the governor said “discussions are ongoing”.

“We are particularly grateful for the concerns Nigerians have shown. At the moment there is no clear-cut answer to the question but I can tell you that discussions are ongoing,” he said.

“So it is a work in progress and when we are done, I am sure Nigerians will get to know the path we have chosen to take.

“At the end of it, this concern for justice is well noted and I pray that it becomes one of the values of our national existence.

“That if in every facet of life, we insist on justice, fairness and equity I believe Nigeria will become a great country.”

Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had said the supreme court should have reviewed the sacking of the Plateau lawmakers when it affirmed Mutfwang’s election.

Ozekhome said the judgment of the court of appeal was a “miscarriage of justice”.