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By Chukwudi Nweje
People of Plateau State will not forget the 2023 governorship poll in a hurry. For followers of events in the state particularly, the announcement of Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP as the governor of the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will remain evergreen among people on the Plateau.
Daily Sun which monitored elections in the state observed that after the March 2023 gubernatorial and the State House of Assembly elections, the electorate in Plateau especially the youth in their numbers kept vigil at the respective collation centres in the state to protect their votes and ensure that results obtained from the field were what was announced by the electoral umpire, the INEC.
At the time Governor Mutfwang was announced as the winner of the governorship election, the entire state erupted in joy and the victory was celebrated for many days because it was indeed the choice of the people that prevailed.
Shortly after the declaration of Mutfwang as the winner, the candidate of the Labour Party, Dr. Patrick Dakum offered his congratulations while that of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda and his Party, the APC declared their interest in contesting the outcome at the tribunal which they did.
While the tribunal sessions lasted, diverse opinions expressed on the possible outcome and discussions among citizens even on the various social media platforms revealed that Plateau is still largely, a “PDP” State as many opinions cautioned that Mutfwang’s mandate, willingly given by the people should not be snatched through the back door.
Although the conflicting judgments from the tribunal on the National and State Assembly elections raised tensions, well-meaning individuals and groups called for caution so that the state is not subjected further to another round of violence.
When the tribunal reaffirmed Mutfwang’s victory in September, again, the joy of the people knew no bounds. From the city centers to the villages, the people rolled out drums in celebration and a sense of peace transcended the state. It was yet another indication that indeed the people of the state were with the governor.
Some conspiracy theorists maintain that the APC is bent on snatching the victory through the backdoor and probably upset the fragile peace in the state. In their estimation, it is for fear of the APC remaining in the opposition for at least four years that it proceeded to the Appeal Court even as their foot soldiers continued to boast of having their ‘own at the helm of affairs.’
It is little wonder that tension is building up following last Sunday’s Appeal court verdict removing the Senate Minority Leader, Simon Mwadkwon and the Representative of the Bassa/Jos North, Musa Agah and asking INEC to conduct another election in their respective constituencies within 90 days with the participation of all political parties who presented candidates in the said elections.
For many observers, the disappointing mood with which the majority of people in the state received the judgment was obvious even as residents gathered in groups discussing the issue. Apart from a few supporters of the APC who welcomed the development, many citizens are apprehensive that the mandate they freely gave to not just Mutfwang but the PDP may be truncated and they see this as a slap on democracy.
There are those who caution that as more judgments are being awaited, the majority of citizens appeal that the security of Plateau should not be breached to satisfy the greed of a few who vowed that “elections are either won at the polls or in the court.” In the estimation of many of the citizens of the state, using the court to subvert the wishes of the people may be a pointer that the peace in Plateau is being deliberately provoked by a few who do not mean well for the state.
