From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
The quiet streets of Jos, the state capital, came alive on Friday. Motorists raced on the roads while residents rolled on the ground to celebrate, as the Supreme Court affirmed the victory of Governor Mutfwang in the March 2023 governorship election.
Madam Abigail Pam, 35 year mother of six from Du district of Jos South, told our correspondent that she went to the Press Centre to get first hand information on the verdict, when she saw people jubilating on the streets.
“I did not believe it. I am overjoyed. We can now sleep with both eyes closed. We now have structure.”
Her mood reflected that of thousands of residents of the state, especially People Democratic Party faithful, who had been praying day and night for Governor Mutfwang to emerge victorious at the court.
At Tudun Wada area of Jos North, a noted stronghold of the ruling party, residents blocked the road to celebrate the victory.
Netizens took to the social media to express diverse views on the judgment.
A man who wrote anonymously on the Plateau 2023 election poll page, said: “And the Land is Green! Mantle handed over by God and mandate given by the people affirmed by the tribunal interrupted by the Appeal Court now confirmed by the Supreme Court. Hello Plateau, Hello Caleb Mutfwang Congratulations, everywhere is now green.”
Hassan, who described himself as an APC diehard said: “Politics is over. It is time for governance. Plateau first.
“We both fought a good fight with diverse interests in different platforms all in the interest of Plateau and Plateaunians. We stood firm in defending what we believe in. Along the line we made friends and enemies; this is synonymous with politics. What matters most is our common interest which is a united and prosperous Plateau devoid of Tribalism, ethnicity, bigotry, and chaos.
An elated former governor Jonah Jang, described the ruling as a validation of God’s judgment.
Jang, in a statement by his Media Consultant, Clinton Garuba, said he received with joy “the news of the Supreme Court judgement affirming Governor Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected Governor of Plateau state. Surely, it is because of God’s mercy that He has allowed us to witness the good news today.
“Indeed, the governor’s victory at the Supreme Court is a victory for democracy and against the wishes of anti democratic forces.
“We recall with sadness how anti-democratic forces tried as much as possible to manipulate the will of the people without success
“As sad as it is, the damage that has been done to Plateau by the miscarriage of justice at the Court of Appeal is in great proportion because the kind of judgment that were delivered by the lower court have robbed the people their rightful representation both at the state and the National Assembly. But all hope is not lost.”