The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) revealed a disconcerting scheme to use purported legal manoeuvres to remove Caleb Mutfwang, the duly elected governor of Plateau State.
HURIWA issued a warning against what it sees as the Court of Appeal’s purported anti-democratic coup.
The rights group raised worries about a possible coordinated effort to manipulate the court system by recalling earlier cases in which the Court of Appeal allegedly overturned victory of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Emmanuel Onwubiko, the national coordinator for HURIWA, cited instances like the Plateau North Senatorial District, in which Sen. Simon Mwadkwon of the PDP prevailed. All parties were compelled to rerun the poll, nevertheless, after the Court of Appeal supposedly declared the results invalid. Similar events occurred in the Federal Constituencies of Shendam/Quaan-Pan/Mikang and Jos North/Bassa, where the APC was allegedly given the advantage over PDP candidates in their triumphs.
“The Panel, in its judgement in Court of Appeal No. CA/J/EP/PL/SEN/12/2023 delivered on Sunday, October 20, 2023, curiously annulled the PDP’s victory and ordered INEC to conduct a rerun election among all the parties,” HURIWA revealed. “In the case of Plateau North Senatorial District won by Sen. Simon Mwadkwon of the PDP and the APC candidate coming in third.”
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“The Panel, in its judgement in Court of Appeal No. CA/J/EP/PL/HR/14/2023 delivered on Friday, October 14, 2023, annulled the victory of the PDP and ordered a rerun excluding the PDP in the case of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency won by Hon. Musa Agar of the PDP and where the APC candidate also came in third,” the statement continued.
“The Appeal Court Justices in Court of Appeal No. CA/J/EP/PL/HR/18/2023 annulled the PDP candidate’s victory, declared the APC candidate the clear winner, and directed that the Certificate of Return awarded to the PDP candidate be withdrawn and a new Certificate of Return awarded to the APC candidate in the third Appeal Case of Shendam/Quaan-Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency, won by Hon. Isaac Kwallu of the PDP with John Dafwan of the APC as runner-up,” HURIWA continued.
HURIWA expressed grave worry and issued a warning against what seems to be a concerted attempt on the part of the Court of Appeal to render inconsistent rulings that would benefit the APC at the expense of the PDP.
The rights group made a call to action for all parties involved, including the court, to respect democratic values and make sure the people’s will is carried out.
HURIWA exhorted Nigerians to maintain their vigilance and thwart any efforts to undermine the democratic process.
HURIWA stressed the need for accountability and transparency to protect the integrity of the electoral process in the wake of these accusations and demanded an immediate investigation into the actions of the Court of Appeal, which is chaired by Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem in her capacity as President.
