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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Security agencies made up of a detachment of army, police and civil defence personnel on Monday averted mayhem in Jos as supporters of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) clashed over the Appeal Court judgement, which nullified the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau state.
Hiundreds of PDP supporters had gathered under the bridge of the State secretariat to protest against the judgment.
But few hours later, APC youths also surfaced to stage a solidarity rally in support of the judgment.
However a reinforcement of operatives of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) were quickly drafted to the scene and they pushed PDP supporters away from the arena.
Thereafter APC supporters took over the area, singing and dancing under the watchful eyes of the security agencies, who mobilised an Armoured Personnel Carrier to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the situation.
The security agents cordoned off all the entrance to the secretariat, going through under the bridge.
Motorists were asked to go over the bridge to avoid running into the crowd.
A of this report, supporters are still singing and dancing.
Meanwhile the APC Governor-elect, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, has described the judgment as well expected.
Goshwe, in a statement, he personally signed said he welcomed the judgment, with profound joy and gratitude to God Almighty.
“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.
“This victory is not for Nentawe, this victory is for all Plateau people and lovers of democracy and the rule of law,” the statement read.
