By Danjuma Auta
A group under the auspices of Forum of Former Youth Leaders (Veterans) in Plateau State has described the recent Appeal Court judgement that nullified the victory of some elected PDP members as rascality of the highest order.
The youth in the state on Monday protested against threats to the peace of the state arising from what they termed as conflicting judgments that have led to the removal of many elected lawmakers on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Addressing journalists in Jos, leader of the group Mr. Yakubu Itse, asked the National Judicial Council, NJC, to urgently address what they termed as a “lack of morality and justice in the judicial system” and called on President Bola Tinubu to defend the evolving democracy in Plateau State and Nigeria.
The group noted that the recent conflicting judgements by the judiciary in the state has given room for the people to be worried and urged the judiciary to refrain from “any efforts towards destabilizing our fragile peace with inconsistent judgments.
The group stressed that, the court as an umpire, must be able to see that what is more important at this point in time as it relates to plateau state is the issue of Locus Standi, legitimacy, popularity and aftermath of any further rather that legal sophistication.
The group appealed with the Supreme Court to intervene in the apparent destruction of legal precedence as seen by the recent Judgements in the case of plateau state legislators and return the mandate of the people to the legitimate owners.
According to the leader of the group, the law is clear and unequivocal about the key issues under contention, the alleged claim of non compliance to Justice Gang Judgement that directed the Plateau PDP to have repeat Congress which it actually did on the 25th September 2021.
He added that, if the state EXCO of PDP did not Conduct primary election as insinuated by the APC, for the nomination, Sponsorship of Candidate so much if the court says that the state EXCO was not properly constituted, how does that affect the nomination process conducted by a properly constituted National Working committee (NWC) of the party?
According to the group, they said that, the suit under reference is instituted by member of PDP which makes it an internal affairs of PDP , adding that, if any body is aggrieved by the nomination of Candidates by the party without re- conducting the state congresses, it should be the members of the party and not an outsider. He lamented that the court is nullifying the election of PDP because of nomination issue put forward by APC which is another Party.
Mr. Itse described as ridiculous to hear appellants arguing that they are not challenging the nomination, only sponsorship, however questioned the difference.
According to him, “we aren’t aware of the position of the Apex court of the land, Supreme Court citing the case of Jegede Vs INEC,” to support his argument. According to the group, the victories of Senator Simon Mwadkwon, representing Plateau North, and his counterpart Hon. Musa Agah , member Representing Bassa/Jos North ,and Hon. Isaac Kwallu, member representing Qua’an-pan, Shendam, Mikang both at the polls as well as the Election Tribunal truly represent the choices of the people and nothing should deny the people their rights.