THE Peoples Democratic Party has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to establish a judicial panel of inquiry to investigate the alleged influence of the All Progressives Congress in the Court of Appeal judgment that removed Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang from office.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja ruled on Sunday, nullifying Mutfwang’s election and declaring APC candidate Muntawe Goshwe as the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Plateau State.
In a statement released by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP expressed dismay at a viral video in which an APC leader, Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives from Plateau State, boasted about their connections in the Supreme Court.
Ologunagba stated that Gagdi’s remarks seemed to confirm suspicions in the public domain that the APC had formed a special team, including two former governors of the party who are currently serving as cabinet ministers, and a prominent party leader from the North-East Zone, with the aim of influencing judicial officers to deliver judgments against the PDP.
The PDP spokesperson also highlighted allegations that a former APC Governor reportedly offered the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel $5 million to deliver a biased judgment against Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s election victory, contrary to established legal principles.
He added that Gagdi’s statement provided an explanation as to why the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel allegedly overturned victories won by PDP candidates in the National Assembly elections in the state and awarded them to APC candidates in conflicting judgments.
Expressing concern that the situation could escalate into a crisis, the PDP emphasized the importance of the judiciary as the last line of defense for the nation’s democracy and political stability.
The party demanded that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, as the head of the Judiciary, establish a high-powered panel to investigate the APC’s claims of having influence in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, as well as to probe the bribery allegations against the Plateau State Election Appeal Court Panel.
In response, the National Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, criticized the PDP, labeling them as bad losers, and warning them to exercise caution in their language to avoid undermining democracy.
