From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The Plateau State All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for governor in the March 18 gubernatorial election, Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, has described his victory at the Appeal Court as long expected.
A three-man appellate court had set aside the judgment of the Governorship and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which upheld the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, following an appeal by Goshwe.
Goshwe, in a statement he personally signed said he received the judgment with happiness.
He said, “It is with profound joy and gratitude to God Almighty that I welcome my victory at the Court of Appeal, which declared me as the rightful winner of the March 18th gubernatorial election in Plateau State, having scored the highest lawful votes as thoroughly examined and confirmed by law.
“You will recall that immediately the election umpire erred by announcing my opponent in the PDP as winner, I admonished you all to remain calm as I will explore every legal means to retrieve back your lawful mandate.
“Today, I stand tall to say the outcome of these long months of legal battle from the Tribunal to the Appeal Court has vindicated my inherent belief that I, and indeed Plateau people, have been short changed of the opportunity to witness the implementation of our ACEES agenda, which by now, would have started yielding positive results. However, it is better late than never!
“As a principle of personal conviction, I don’t gloat in moments such as this. Instead, I wish to, in all humility, accept this victory as the will of God Almighty for Plateau State.
“I also warmly welcome my opponent’s decision to Appeal this victory at the Supreme Court. My indefatigable legal team are more than ready to defend this emphatic victory at the apex court of the land. It is also my view that this case, which is novel according to the Appeal Court, will set a precedent and add value to our legal jurisprudence.
“Expectedly, as we journey through the final leg of this legal battle, I appeal to all political actors across party lines to consider the peace of the land and behave with utmost sense of patriotism. The vitriolic attacks are unnecessary. Let us put Plateau first and stop heating the polity.
“Let me add that as we celebrate this judgement, I wish to call on all my supporters and APC members in general to be magnanimous in victory and celebrate celebrate victory with modesty and decorum and utmost respect to the sensibilities of our opponents. I admonish us all to be practitioners of the decency and decorum we are known for.”
He described the victory as not for him, but for all Plateau people and lovers of democracy and the rule of law.