Plateau: Muftwang Debunks Reports Of Bribery Collection By Judges

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has vehemently denied allegations suggesting judges received a $5 million bribe to annul his election victory. Elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Mutfwang labeled the claims as “baseless and defamatory.” Through his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, in Jos on Friday, Mutfwang refuted the allegations, attributing them to deliberate attempts by detractors to sow discord between him and the judiciary. Expressing deep concern, Mutfwang urged thorough investigations by security agencies to apprehend those responsible for the libelous publication, emphasizing the importance of facing legal consequences to deter such misconduct. Terming the report a fabrication by individuals manipulated as pawns by the opposition party in Plateau State, Governor Mutfwang highlighted that it aims to tarnish the PDP government’s image in the state. He reaffirmed his unwavering support for the Judiciary while cautioning against disparaging justices and respected leaders, warning of severe consequences for those engaging in destructive activities.

Appeal Court Ruling: I’m Undeterred, Says Governor Dauda Lawal

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has said he remains undeterred following the Appeal Court’s Thursday declaration of the state’s gubernatorial election as inconclusive. Recall that the Appeal Court in Abuja voided the election that produced Lawal as winner while declaring a rerun in three local government areas. In response to the ruling, Governor Lawal expressed confidence in the unwavering support of the people for progress and development in the state. Terming the court’s decision as a “temporary setback,” Governor Lawal reaffirmed his resolute commitment to honouring the people’s mandate.  He assured Zamfara citizens of his dedication to pursuing all legal avenues to ensure a fair and just resolution. “The ruling by the Appeal Court is a temporary setback,” said Governor Lawal.  “However, I remain optimistic that the collective decision of the people will ultimately prevail.” Acknowledging the challenges faced during the previous election, Governor Lawal emphasized his determination to uphold what he termed the “widely acclaimed mandate” and called for calm among the populace while his legal team rigorously reviews the verdict. “We will emerge victorious,” Governor Lawal affirmed.  “Our unwavering determination and steadfast commitment leave no room for doubt or fear.” Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings, the governor urged the people of Zamfara to remain composed, stating, “Our legal team is thoroughly reviewing the verdict. We will follow through with the necessary actions to achieve a just outcome.”

Kano Guber: Appeal Court Affirms Abba Yusuf’s Sack 

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the judgment of the Kano State Governorship Tribunal that sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as the governor of the state. The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearer, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, as the winner of the state’s governorship poll held on March 18. The Independent National Electronic Electoral Commission (INEC) had announced Yusuf as the winner of the March 18, 2023 election, saying he garnered 1,019,602 votes to defeat Gawuna who got 890,705 of the votes cast. Consequently, the APC headed the Tribunal, citing alleged electoral malpractice. The Tribunal in it ruling nullified Yusuf’s election, adding that over 160,000 ballot papers “were not signed or stamped by INEC”. The three-man panel of the Tribunal led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay sacked Yusuf on September 20, 2023, after deducting 165,663 of his votes. Yusuf’s votes were subsequently reduced to 853,939 while Ganuwa’s 890,705 votes were not affected. Not satisfied, Yusuf proceeded to the appeal court which held that it can be seen that the Tribunal acted in the overall interest of justice when it allowed APC’s tendering of documents during trial. The court held that INEC released documents to the APC piecemeal in order to defeat the petition of the petitioner. The judgement further posited  the the Petitioner’s insistence that APC ought to have joined its candidate, Ganuwa, as a party at the Tribunal proceedings, was not backed by the 1999 Constitution. It maintained that a candidate is entitled to be represented by his political party during litigation, adding that every political party shall maintain the register of its voters. The court said the appellant to his own detriment did not submit his NNPP membership registrar or even tendered his statement on oath regarding his membership of the party. The court added that the name of Abba is not the NNPP membership registrar. “As rightfully found, Yusuf Abba was not a member of the NNPP at the time he was purportedly sponsored by his party and he was not qualified to contest the March Governorship Election,” the court while affirming the judgment of the Tribunal. “If you claim to be a member of a political party, is it not logical for you to say so by yourself and not by proxy? “Even though membership of a political party is an internal affair, a political party cannot be permitted to circumvent or breach the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. “The Tribunal was wrong not to have disqualified the appellant. “Therefore, the failure of the appellant and the NNPP to comply with the 1999 Constitution is fatal to their election. “All issues in this appeal are dismissed and the judgment of the Tribunal is affirmed,” the court held.

Court Nullifies Abdullahi Sule’s Governorship, Declares PDP’s Umbugadu Winner

In a significant ruling, the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has nullified Abdullahi Sule’s governorship and declared David Umbugadu of the PDP as the winner of the 2023 Nasarawa State governorship elections. While two of the three justices on the panel led by Justice Ezekiel Ajayi upheld this decision, Justice Ibrahim Mashi is currently delivering a dissenting judgment. More details later…