The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) says it has uncovered a plot to overthrow the duly elected Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, through alleged judicial manipulations. And therefore cautioned against such “anti-democratic coup” allegedly being orchestrated by the Court of Appeal.

The rights group recalled previous instances where the Court of Appeal purportedly overturned victories of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the development has raised concerns about a potential coordinated effort to manipulate the judicial system.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiiko, in a statement made available to News Express, specifically pointed to cases such as the Plateau North Senatorial District, where Sen. Simon Mwadkwon of the PDP emerged victorious. However, the Court of Appeal annulled the election and ordered a rerun for all the political parties. Similar scenarios unfolded in the Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency and the Shendam/Quaan-Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency, where PDP candidates’ victories were nullified in favor of APC.

“In the case of Plateau North Senatorial District won by Sen. Simon Mwadkwon of the PDP and the APC candidate coming third, the Appeal Court Panel, in its judgment on Sunday, October 20, 2023, annulled PDP’s victory and ordered INEC to conduct a rerun among all the parties,” HURIWA said.

“In the case of Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency won by Hon. Musa Agar of the PDP and where the APC candidate also came third, the Appeal Panel, in its judgment on Friday, October 14, 2023, annulled the victory of the PDP and ordered a rerun, excluding the PDP,” the statement continued.

“In the third Appeal Case of Shendam/Quaan-Pan/Mikang Federal Constituency, won by Hon. Isaac Kwallu of the PDP, with John Dafwan of the APC as runner-up, the Appeal Court Justices annulled the victory of the PDP candidate, declared the APC candidate as the outright winner,” HURIWA added.

Expressing deep concern, HURIWA warned against what appears to be a coordinated effort by the Court of Appeal to issue contradictory judgments, favouring the APC at the expense of the PDP, due to the suspected link between President of Court of appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, and the former APC Governor, Simon Lalong, who got rewarded with a Senatorial seat by the same Court of Appeal, potentially causing chaos and commotion in Plateau State.

The rights group called on all stakeholders, including the judiciary, to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that the will of the people prevailed. It urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and resist any attempts to subvert the democratic process.

In light of these allegations, HURIWA called for an immediate investigation into the conduct of the Court of Appeal, presided over by Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, as President, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

“As Plateau State stands at a critical juncture, HURIWA urged citizens to remain peaceful, uphold the rule of law, and defend the principles of democracy in the face of what it perceives as a potential threat to the democratic fabric of the nation,” the statement concluded.

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