The criticism surrounding the Appeal Court’s decision to remove Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has been countered by the Presidency.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, attributes the removal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emphasizing that the blame lies with the PDP for employing an illicit caretaker committee during the Plateau State primaries, contrary to a court order.
The Appeal Court’s ruling overturned the governorship election tribunal’s decision that had initially validated Mutfwang’s election as governor. Instead, the court declared Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner, instructing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a new certificate of return to him.
Onanuga draws parallels with the APC’s loss in Zamfara State in 2019 due to similar issues of illegal primaries, underscoring the significance of adherence to legal processes in electoral activities.
Posting on X with the title: “The avoidable fate of Caleb Mutfwang,” Onanuga wrote: “To those crying and complaining about the judgment of the Appeal Court in nullifying the Election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, they seem to have forgotten history so quickly.
“In 2019, all Zamfara elected officials and members of the APC, from governor to state and National Assembly lawmakers lost their posts because the APC failed to carry out legally valid primaries.
“The PDP, failing to learn from history, repeated the same illegality, using an illegal caretaker committee to conduct primaries, despite a court order.
“Blame the PDP for the electoral setback, not the APC, the judiciary, INEC and President Tinubu.
“Non-compliance with the electoral law and the constitution is also at the root of the nullification of the election of Kano governor, Abba Yusuf. Those blaming the judiciary and being emotional about the ruling should face reality. Yusuf was sacked based on the law. I believe we all want our country to be guided by the rule of law.”
