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By, giwa alex, Jos

The Governship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in plateau state is gradually coming to climax as the Petitioner APC Closed defence after parading over 40  witnesses to support it Petition.

As  the 1st Respondent ,INEC who is was the next on line to open defence has told the tribunal he may not call any witnesses at by the Election Petition Tribunal, between the APC candidate in the last Governship Election in the state, Dr. Nentawe Yilwada against the candidate of People Democratic party (PDP), barrister Caleb Mutfwang .

The Election tribunal  has been on break since 15 July 2023 immediately the Petitioner APC Closed it  case.

When the tribunal resumed sitting today 15th August 2023,the Counsel to INEC told the tribunal that the matter is adjourned till today for Continuation of hearing , and for the 1st Respondent , INEC to open it defence.

The Counsel to INEC further told the tribunal that after thorough consideration , they come to the conclusion that on our part we are not  calling any witness. As against the backdrop, on behalf of the 1st Respondent, we want to formally apply to close our defence , the 1st Respondent maintained.

The 2nd Respondent Caleb Mutfwang represented by his Counsel P.A Akubo told the court for effective case management ,and to avoid wasting the precious time of the court , the 2nd respondent has  decided to open defence Immediately, but however applied for stand down to allowed the 2nd Respondent to put his house in order in readiness for presentations of witnesses.

The application was granted .

Upon resumption from stand down, the first witness of the 2nd Respondent Dang Choji told the court that he was a collation Officer in Naraguta ward “B” in the last general election, he further told the court that the election in Naraguta ward “B” was conducted peacefully without rancour and in line with the provision of electioral law.

Dang Choji said he is a businessman and politician revealed that he used BVAS machine in his polling unit that all voters were accredited  before voting .

 The witness confirmed  the ceasing of the affected resuIt , of most of the Naraguta ward “B” results which make the result to stay for close to 48 hours before it was finally released.

Choji also confirm the arrest of some Persons working for a particular party with 14 BVAS machines and the persons involved are still with security agents till date, as their where about is not made know to the public.

When he was asked if he is aware of the nullification of Musa Agah election by Election tribunal in 2022, he said he is not aware.He also denied any  knowledge of the refusal of  PDP to participate in LG election on the ground of structure by INEC.

Another witness who give his name as Hwelleng  Yohanna and leave in Jos North local government of the state  told  the court that the election of Naraguta ward “B” , was conducted in compliance to the electioral Act.

In similar development, the application of NNPP to withdraw his Petition Challenging barrister Caleb Mutfwang  was vehemently objected by the Respondent.

The respondents said the Petitioner has wasted the precious time of the tribunal till the level of adoption of final written address, and he is applying to withdraw the matter .

Stressed that there are laid down rules for withdrawal of case which must come through former application indicating intention to withdraw.

The respondent separately urged the tribunal to refuse the application for withdrawal of the case,or alternatively withdrawal accompany with cost of 10million ,20million and 15million for the 1st,2nd and 3rd Respondents respectively.

In his ruling,the tribunal struck out the application of the Petitioner, NNPP, and reserved the case for judgement  date to  be communicated to parties through the tribunal secretary.

By, giwa alex, Jos

The embattled candidate of plateau Central Senatorial district in the last election Gulkuna Youanna  Gotom of people Democratic party,  has send a strong message to Member Representing Plateau Central in the Red Chamber,Hon Diket Plang to return the mandate he stoled from him in the last Senatorial Election and apologize.

He  said as accountant for over 10 years you do not bring figure to G.Y Gotom because they fear me because I take the figure to the theatre and perform surgery on  for operation.

Gotom who petitioned honorable Diket Plang before the election tribunal over Plateau Central Senatorial election stated this in an interview with Journalists at the Plateau State High Court sitting in the state capital.

He  frowned at a situation people in the like of the Respondent Hon. Diket Plang will manipulate figure to themselves and bring to court .

“You can even see how lawyers were very surprised with the level of the manipulation the APC and it cohort engaged in, during the 2023 plateau Central Senatorial election.”

He added that Diket Plang has come to court today and see things for himself which he knows that is grossly against him, but I expect him to forget of pride and ego , and tender apology so that it can be publicly adopt in court of law , and return us to Abuja.

He however said in Hausa Language” That the friend of a thief is also a thief”.

Ambassador Gotom adviced people to support what is good to avoid the wrath of God to themselves and their generation yet on born.

“So if you know what is good ,please support it, if you support what is bad , it means your generation is cooking bad story for our people. The good people of Plateau Central will not accept that. ” He maintained.

He lauded the tribunal for allowing his exhibit scaled through and adopted by the court.

But lamented that in the  first time in the history of Africa, election result was delayed for two whole weeks contrary to the principles of free, fair and credible Election. 

However, the Petitioner Ambassador Yohanna Gotom has tendered documents which majorly are polling Units results from some local government that make up the Constituent, to help the Petitioner defend his case.

The matter has been adjourned to 16th August 2023 for Continuation of hearing. 

By, giwa alex, Jos

The Member Representing Plateau Central Senatorial district in the Senate , honorable Diket Plang has said contrary to some wagging tongue that he has abandoned the Petition against him  by Ambassador Yohanna Gotom Challenging his election is a cry hoax of those who didn’t really understand the functions of the senator .

If any body  used the word abandoned,it means that I was not at the plenary, that I am excluded from the activities of the plenary, or my presence not notice . So if anybody is insinuating that I have abandoned the people of my Constituency whom I was elected to represent , I want to make it crystal clear that I was elected by the good people of plateau Central as their eyes at National Assembly in Abuja which I am currently doing maximally.

The Hon. Senator was speaking in an interview with journalists at the on going Election Tribunal sitting in plateau state on Monday 14th 2023,in response to the insinuations making around that he has abandoned the Petition against him over the Plateau Central District Senatorial election.

Diket Plang who said he was in the 9th Assembly, for those following the development at the National Assembly Plenary , will know that he is representing Plateau Central Chairing Committee.

” You also know that I am the only senator in the National Assembly that presented bill that has pass 1st reading. It may also interest you to know that I have presented a bill on the current security situation in the state which was unanimously accepted with five prayers.”

The prayer are that the security should with immediate effect relocate to  Mangu , which they did, he added that another of his prayer is for the Service Chief to visit the site where the conflicts has taken place, which they did.

Another of my prayer is for NEMA to come to the aid of  the victim of the affected crisis currently at various IDP camps with relief materials which they have done the first phase, which they will do the second phase.

On the resurgence of killing in his Constituency he  assured that the evil you see now,you will see them no more, said there are time for everything,a time to resolve and be one.

He expressed his sadness, worried , but we know that God is on our side ,he maintained.

” By the Grace of God,you and l ,all hands most be on deck ,and we most be on the same page to ensure that peace is brought to plateau Central in particular and plateau state and Nigeria in general.”However Commended the Service Chiefs  for their alertness ,for their beautiful approach towards insecurity and their balance approach towards insecurity “.

And adviced those that petitioned him of course is very painful to loose elections, and hope with time, they will come to terms of reality of loosing.

By, giwa alex, Jos

By,giwa alex, Jos 

As the world celebrate Youths Day ,the governor of plateau state barrister Caleb Mutfwang has acknowledge the Contributions of the youth to the nation building.

Said with pride, the substantial contributions of the youth towards development, underlining the inclusion of numerous young individuals in his administration’s cabinet and strategic government positions. 

Governor Mutfwang stated this in his speech to mark this year 2023 “Youth Day” celebration held at Azi Yanko Youth Center along Bukuru road in Jos, plateau state.

Governor Mutfwang represented by the Commissioner for youth and sports development Bashir Lawandi Datti  highlighted the exceptional qualities possessed by the youth, particularly those from Plateau State,  noted that they are productive, resilient, competent, talented, and deeply committed to endeavors that contribute to the overall progress of the state. 

He however affirmed his unwavering commitment to support the youth in harnessing their inherent talents.

The governor expressed his admiration for the Plateau youth’s embodiment of virtues like humility, peace, unity, and hard work and expressed his administration’s readiness to fostering an environment conducive to the growth of young leaders to ensure that they safeguard Plateau heritage.

He further acknowledged with pride, the substantial contributions of the youth towards development, underlining the inclusion of numerous young individuals in his administration’s cabinet and strategic government positions. 

The appointments, the Governor explained, aim to steer the state’s economic policies for advancement.

While acknowledging that more could be done to address the needs of the youth population, Governor Mutfwang reiterated his administration’s policy that members of the Transition Committee for the 17 local government areas should be 40 years of age and below.

He further add that theme of this year 2023 International Youth Day “Green Skills for Youth Towards a Sustainable World,” aligning it with his administration’s  “Land is Green” revolution. 

Expressed his  interest in partnering with the youth to combat the challenge of drug addiction in Plateau, particularly targeting those involved in the import and sale of illicit substances.

In his welcome address,the Chairman of Plateau Youth Council (PYC) Comrade Emmanuel represented by his deputy Comrade Sunday said the theme of this year 2023 lnternational Youth Day Celebration”Green Skills For Youth , towards a sustainable world “, is apt and adviced the youth to cash on this real opportunity and embrace skills and further adviced them to shun any vices that can destroy their future.

The director of sports and youth development in the state , represented by the commissioner for higher education reiterated the ministry willingness to make the spot in the state the best in the country as it were in the good old days in the 80s.

He further stressed the the will not hesitate to go back to the drawing board in restoring the moribund sporting activities in the state.

Reiterated that they should not engage in any vices that is capable of destroying their life.

Speaking on behalf of Civil Liberty Organization (CSO) in the state , Salis Muhammad Abdulsalam thank the ministry of sports and Youth Development in the state for organizing this year 2023 youth day celebration despite the current economic Challenges facing the stage.

Called on the youth that contrary to the old believe that youths are the future of tommorow, I want tell you that the youths is the leaders of today not tomorrow.

Adviced them to embrace skills which synonymous to the country development.

The high point by of the occasion is the paper presentation by an activist and public analyst Luka. Panpe ,recommend that the governor Caleb Mutfwang administration should as a matter of argency should design Green Policies that should be implemented within the time frame.

He recommended that the government should be advancing in giving skills and improving and knowing the indepth of sanitation , however called on the government to sanction those erring person or persons who violates the government order on sanitation.

He also advocate for the centralization of all the markets in the state , with this it clean up our street from trading and increase Internal Generated Revenue (IGR).

For all these to be effective Luka Panpe  adviced the state government to think along the line of setting up ministry for Green Skills.

By, giwa alex, Jos

The  All Progressive Congress (APC)  Candidate for the 2023 General Elections ,Hon   Dachung Moses Dadon has urged the election tribunal sitting in Jos to sack Honorable Timothy Datong of People Democratic party (PDP), member representing Riyom Constituency in plateau state house of Assembly from the seat ,as  he was not validly elected because his Party lack structure in state, and also the election which brought him  to power is characterized by over voting.

He urged the tribunal to look at the merit of his Petition with a view of returning him as the duly elected member of Plateau State House of Assembly to represent Riyom state  Constituency in the 10th   Assembly.

Dachung Moses made the called after  the adoption of final written addresses in Jos,plateau state at the  High Court premises .

Dachung Moses  who is Petitioner in the matter , through his Counsel further told the court that the Petitioners  filed  reply on point of law dated the 10th August 2023, and adopted the two process.

He cited relevant authorities of the law to buttress his argument in the case of Obi Vs Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

He however,argued that the tribunal should  allow the petition of the Petitioner , and return him as the winner of the said Election. 

In an exclusive interview with the Petitioner he reiterated his confident on the judiciary as  the last hope of common man.

He said  that Nigeria politics is moving forward because the country is operating democracy,  we are getting new innovations and new happening everyday,but was quick to disclosed  that there are some side that Nigeria are not progressing instead retrogression.

On  the alleged accused sabotage by his  Co – Contestant he said that why he approached the court for interpretation .

There is no law that frown at decamping from one party in Nigeria to another party when the need arise. 

And stressed that the Constitution of Nigeria is very clear on the freedom of association.

Further add that if he finds no favor in association “A” and decided to move to association “B” where he find favor , I think I commit no crime.

He said Hon. Timothy Datong is a desperate leader that is why he is doing what he doing.

“What I would say is the issue of desperation in leadership. The law may ask us that we where somewhere and we didn’t  legally decamped from our former party to our present party , that is why we are in court for interpretation ,for the court to clear us to contest on the platform of our New Party.”

By, giwa alex, Jos

The people of plateau state will soon breathe a sigh of relief over acute shortage of portable Water Supply in the state and it environs.

As it would soon be a thing of the past, with the government programs and policies of revamping water sector , rehabilitation of broken down water facilities treatment, rehabilitating broken down bole holes.

The Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy in the state Hon. Noel Na’anniap Nkup give the assurance in an interview with Journalists during  2024 budget defence  for the ministry for water resources held at the state Secretariat in jos , plateau state. 

The Commissioner said all these can be seen with the line of actions of the ministry, explain ,defend to ensure those basic amenities will  provided by the government.

He stressed the importance of water to human existence which he said is life that every beings touches at their separate homes everyday for one domestic uses or the other.

Whether the ministry is comfortable with the budget allocation for 2023 ,the commissioner said the government of Barrister Caleb Mutfwang can’t give what the state can’t afford

He lamented that the government of Caleb Mutfwang started on a wrong financial ground and we have to manage the resources available to the state to see that the citizens of plateau state enjoy the dividends of democracy.

However maintained that the budget defence we just had ,we consider a lot of things with the hope that 2024 budget allocation would be fruitful.

“You can see  how things was carried out,is not just writing on the pages of paper.”

” It is budget realistic items so that our people would be able to have what is met for them considering the government policies and programmes”.

By, giwa alex, Jos

The Plateau state government is set to partner with World Bank to help with the provision of portable drinking water in the state.

As there are alot of intervention with world Bank in term of water supply in the state as efforts were in top gear to see that the ministry  work in conjunction with them , the work was actually in progress and interrupted.

This was revealed by Plateau State  Managing Director Water Services Cooperation ,Mrs Stella Buge in an interview with journalists during the 2024 budget defence held at the state Secretariat 10th August 2023.

The Managing Director represented by Assistant General Manager  Quality Assurance Mr Alex Luthul , said if you could recall , some of our pipes where exhumed as a result of the on going road construction at British America Junction flyover.

As result the general manager said , water supply to some communities in the state were distrupted.

He further said now that the construction of the ongoing road  are completed, there would be much different. 

He said they where able to defend the budget to the best of his capabilities , added that some role over was witness in the 2023 budget was because of Nigeria Labour congress (NLC) strike.

Lamented the effect of thes strike as far as water sector is concerned in the state. 

By giwa alex,Jos 

Justice  Mohammed Tukur of the National ,State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal  in  Plateau State has adjourned till September 22, 2023 for adoption of a final written address in the alleged over voting ,non compliance to the court order in the People Democratic Party , PDP structure .

The three Man Election Tribunal led by Justice Mohammed Tukur  fixed 9th August ,2023 for the petitioners Hon .Cirdum Nanbol Josiah of the All Progressive Congress ,APC, against Hon .Rimvyat Nanbol of the People Democratic Party (PDP) were the petitioners closed his case with 12 witnesses from the 9 Federal wards of Langtang North Local Government Council . 

The petitioners counsel ,Barr .S.S.Obende told the trial tribunal that the matter came up today for continuation of hearing were he called PW6 to testify on the alleged irregularities of mutilation , fraud breaching the guidelines of the electoral act .

Mr mampon Nanman who resident in Shibam of Kwanpai explained in his statement on oath why he couldn’t signed the purported results of his polling unit .

According to him ,on the day of the election the INEC staff made use of BVAS machine to conduct accreditation to all the eligible voters following the register voters were he identified all the exhibits listed 

While the 1st respondent J.L.Zakari was cross examined under  PW6 ,he confirmed that INEC deploy BVAS machine for the purpose of the election and he voted on that day at Shibam polling unit of Kwanpai .

However , when asked if he has ever handle BVAS machine before, he said no but as the youth leader, he mobilized all the people to ensure that they have their  PVCs .

Barr.Bitrus Fwangshak , counsel to the 2nd and 3rd respondents says , please take a look at exhibit 9 which is the results of polling unit of Shibam the witness confirm that it is the result and what was the score of PDP ,he said 155 and APC was defeated but at the end the presiding officer signed and stamped the whole result.

When asked whether the exercise was free and fair ,he said yes .Also Tali Selbol of Gazum PW7 the statement deposited and adopted in paragraphs 2,3,10 .

The court however adjourned the case to 22nd of September 2023 for adoption of final written address. 

By,giwa alex, Jos

The Candidate of  People Democratic Party ,(PDP)  in the just concluded General Elections in Nigeria ,Amb.Yohanna Golkuna Gotom has called on the President of the Senate to embark on thorough  investigation into  the intricacies surrounding Plateau Central Senatorial election and stop making ,Hon. Diket  Plang a member of any committee .

Gotom lambasted Diket Plang that the current members of National Assembly  made up of 108 as he would be the  only member to make up the 109 which has earned him the name ,  “Digital Senator G.Y Gotom” a pragmatic leader with vision to attract development to the people of central zone  .

He accussed him of abandoning the people of the central zone over desperation  ambition to remain  in the Red Chamber of National Assembly were he  practically abandoned the Petition Challenging his stolen mandate as Senator Representing Plateau Central district .

According to him, Plang has fragrantly refused to appeared at the election tribunal sitting in Plateau state capital since the panel commenced hearing on his petition  months  ago.

He made this disclosure in  an interview with the media men at the end of Pre-hearing session  in Jos ,on his hope  in  election tribunal sitting at the premises of the state High Court in Jos .

 Gotom is the 1st Petitioner Challenging INEC  as the 1st Respondent in the matter and Senator Diket Plang , 2nd Respondent and his emergence as the winner of the general election conducted by the 1st Respondent INEC on a controversial circumstances. 

He  said it’s obvious that the 2nd Respondent Senator Diket Plang has abandoned the Petition filed against him Challenging his emergence as the purported winner of Senatorial Election in the Plateau Central senatorial seat . 

Gotom said the self acclaimed senator Diket plang is afraid of coming to court because he knew that what happen during the senatorial voting exercise was charade and obvious robbery of   the good people of Plateau Central of good representations conducted by INEC to twist the results in favour of unpopular candidate .

He said as a lawmaker you don’t boycott court process , you can see One, Two, three and four times , I have been in court personally ., Without delegating  any person.

Gotom stressed that as a business morgue he has  other serious engagement to do, if there is some body to stay away from the court proceedings , I should be more busy than the 2nd Respondent because    I have a lot of engagement  but for   Diket Plang ,he has lost hope that is why he is not always around at the tribunal sittings.

He called on the Senate president Rt. Hon. Goodwill Akpabio to investigate the intricacies surrounding Plateau Central Senatorial election and stop appointing Diket a member of any committee because the members is currently made up of 108 as the only member to make up the figure to 109 is him aka “Digital Senator G.Y Gotom”.

He rejected the committee attributed to Diket Plang  ,” Productivity committee which has never been mention since  the  enthronement of democracy in 1999. If we talk of committee for employment, labour, Oil and gas, business and ethics , these are regular committees positions.

He condemned the creation of non existence  Senate committee headed by ambitious Diket Plang  that can only exit on the  social media in Nigeria or  probably from Facebook. 

Youanna Gotom disclosed that what prompted him to contest for the position of senatorial seat  was aimed at providing good  governance, when you have the right people in place, you should expect good governance across the length and breadth of central zone  in particular and plateau in general.

“I am an accountant having worked for Nineteen years in the private sector ,I discovered the deficit in governance in my Constituency at the Plateau Central Senatorial Zone ,and the people decided that they need digital Senator with suffisicated blue print in high technology should come on board with health care development, technology, education , effective legislation , computation, commercialization of  business environment and human capital development .

He further add that this come to play when you have a sound  system.

On the current insecurity in Mangu LG which unfortunately falls on Central zone of plateau state, he said you can never hear of crisis in UK, United States of America, Saudi Arabia,and Dubai of yesterday. 

  He use the opportunity to call on all the sundry to go back to drawing board to transform the dividends of democracy to  Plateau Central and the people so that at the end ,democracy will strife and citizens would reap the benefit .

He applauded the recent Inauguration of plateau state executive Council by Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

I have the opportunity to look at the credentials of the commissioners recently appointed Caleb Mutfwang ,you could see businessmen , technocrats of timbers and calibre’s who are really qualify to mount such positions.

You cannot point out anyone of the commissioners to say that one of them are not qualified , they are truly qualified and they will perform .

Governor Caleb Mutfwang is truly set for governance on the Plateau.

By, giwa alex, Jos

The Vigilante Group Of Nigeria (VGN) Plateau State Chapter has cried out to the Executive Governor of plateau state, Caleb Mutfwang to come to it aid as Persons are threatening to demolish the group Secretariat .

As they said the building which is leased to the group by the Sector ll of the Nigeria Army located opposite Jenta Adamu Junction in the Polo.

The Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) in plateau State made the plea through it Chairman , Commander Joseph Zimmah while speaking in an interview with journalists at the ongoing renovation site of the Secretariat on Monday 24th July 2023.

The commander said the property was given to the group by Sector ll of the Nigeria Army who saw the need for the existence of the group to compliment the efforts of other conventional securities in Nigeria in general and plateau state in particular.

He said currently , they are renovating the property to put to use pending when they can afford their permanent property on their own.

The commander Joseph Zimmah further said as they were renovating the property today , some Persons came claiming that the property belong to them and directed us to stop the renovation of the property and threatened they will come back for the demolition of the building.

The commander promised with the vigilante Group in place , most of the vices like raping, kidnapping currently happening in some of community like Jenta Adamu ,Kabon and other flash points will reduce drastically.

He called on the state government to match his word with action because in his Inaugural speech he promised to empower the non conventional securities in the state to  compliment the efforts of conventional securities like the police, Civil Defence Corp and the state State security outfit Operation Rainbow help and reduce  crime and criminality in our community and it environ.

However, use the medium to appeal to Governor Caleb Mutfwang to intervene and stop those threatening to demolish the structure lease to the group by Sector ll of Nigeria Army in the state as temporal Secretariat.

By,giwa alex,Jos 

A Legal Luminary and Professor of law Mike Ozekhome, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) has said  the rule of law has broken down, that economy has broken down , that state actors are now more powerful than legitimately constituted government challenging a sitting government legitimately that are having their own government, having chiefdom for themselves , creating local government putting their flags up giving identity Cards and pass to indigene.

He said  Nigeria need  to go back to drawing board and embrace people driving constitution that we be subjected to by the referendum or plebiscite and Command the legitimacy of acceptability and believability of the people that will be called constitution of the people.

The Woman Right Activist said after the Amagamation of the northern and Southern protectorates of 1st January 1914, by the founder of the country Nigeria lurgard,  things gone from bad to worst that the country is operating unitary constitution instead of federal constitution.

Chief Mike Ozekhome who was in Jos to represent plateau Central Candidate Ambassador Yohanna Gotom at the election tribunal sitting in the state capital was   speaking in an interview with Journalists.

He reiterated his earlier Statement in the past six,Seven and eight months ago that whether Peter Obi , Atiku Abubarkar or Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu, whoever become the president of Nigeria,after court case, can’t solve Nigeria problems.

 According to him, Nigeria problems are endemic and fundamentally edge ,it’s the problems of National questions ,how we are,  how we are living together, where we are coming from, where we are ,and where we want to go.

“I think the government is getting it all wrong,we are on a cycle show suffering from the barber Chair of perpetual motion ,we are not moving front instead ,we are going backwards.”

He berated the Nigeria labour Congress (NLC) for Hasting in calling off the strike the Union embarked  following the government removal of subsidy from PMS that has bring untold hardship on the citizens of Nigeria.

Ozekhome said ,l have been on earth for 65 years now,this music of musical chair, this games of Babasala,Alawada has always played down from one government to another.

He further explain  how it played out, Nigeria labour Congress (NLC), and it labour counterpart Trade Union Congress (TUC),give notice of warning strike ,the government panic and run to procure court order Ex-parte motion,but the Union still went ahead with the strike.

A day later , they said the government is listening to us , and we are calling off the strike.

They did not consider the enormity of the process of mobilizing for a strike which takes sometime and resources , for you just to deflate your members , like balloon and call off the strike prematurely ,is bad for the country.

He further asked what has the Nigeria Labour Congress , NLC, achieved on behalf of the commoners of this  country who are suffering ?and larger Nigerians who are scampering to survive ? Nigerians that are denied , ignored , oppressed , suppressed and marginalized.

Nigerians which cannot even have two square meals a day ,let alone three. Nigerians that now trekked to work where they use to take buses and taxis , they cannot even take motor cycle, where the journey of hundred Naira before ,has gone to five hundred Naira, and that of five hundred Naira is now between one thousand and two thousand naira.

Yet the minimum wage  still remains Thirty Thousand Naira ,so If average Civil Servant paid two thousand naira everyday to work, use one thousand to eat at work that is Three thousand naira daily , multiply by five days in a week,and multiply by Four weeks in a month which bring to one hundred thousand naira a month.

The legal Luminary further

 stressed,  for the Civil Servant you pay Thirty Thousand monthly,you want him/her to use Thirty Thousand Naira to come to work , when he go stealing , you arrest him/her and call him thief.

Speaking on the recent coup in Niger and it effect and threat on Nigeria democracy in particular and other African countries in general, he said democracy in Africa is being threatened because the people who democracy is made ,are not enjoying it , they are just on lookers , while the state actors , Elitist who make the state actors ,less than one percent like Nigeria of about 220 million people , they would not allow democratic dividends to come to the people.

Added that democracy was defined on 19th November 1863 by the former American President Abraham Lincoln in declaration government of the people by the people and for the people.

Contrary to the definition of democracy by Abraham Lincoln, democracy of Nigeria is operating

 the government of the elite by the

 elite and for the elite . What is going on in Nigeria ,is what is going on in most  African Countries that is why you are seeing coup everywhere in African.

Coup makers  don’t write love letter to inform you that they are going to strike so and so day , they look at the environment , the conduciveness of the environment , that the rule of law has broken down, that economy has broken down , that state actors are now more powerful than legitimately constituted government challenging a sitting government legitimately that are having their own government, having chiefdom for themselves , creating local government putting their flags up giving identity Cards and pass to indigene.

That is either a fail state ,or a failing state . In a failing state ,or failed state, anything can happen . So that is what you see play out in Africa.

He however prayed that Nigeria with over 200 million population, with different ethics groups did not go through the experience , because If they do,it would be terrible.

Also Prayed for any government on power don’t take the people for granted, give democratic dividends to the people so that the people should not continue to be at the receiving end.

If that goes on,it may be a case of “Picking when say mama will not sleep, himself will not sleep”.

On  Plateau Central Senatorial Election Tribunal between Ambassador Yohanna Gotom against  Diket Plang representing the Petitioner ambassador Gotom,said the Petitioner his client have a preliminary objection to a very funny reply to the 1st,2nd & 3rd Respondents .

They are discussing a pre-election matter in their separate reply contrary to provision of section 64 & 65 of the electoral Act and also 159 of electioral Act , they are Challenging the eligibility of the Petitioner Yohanna Gotom which would have be done in pre-election matter.

He further stressed that the time of the Respondents which is 14 days has expired,as they also put forward the person they declared winner in plateau Central Senatorial district base on the result revised by a second returning Officer two months after  the first returning Officer has completed his assignment.

Ozekhome  said is not possible to have two Kings in the same palace,you can’t have two Obas ,Emirs and Ezes in one Palace,you cannot have two returning Officer on the same election,the returning Officer has finished his job and the job completed.

And told everybody that certain polling Units in Kanam local government, and the local government should be re-run in those local government.

He said like adakadabra magic ,the electoral Officer issued out a letter dated 3rd April 2023 calling back all the results already concealed to re-run again which has not happened before.

He said he is very optimistic that the tribunal will not allow it to happen , because with the evidence in our disposal Gotom is elected senator to represent Plateau Central district.

By,giwa alex,Jos 

The Commissioner for Urban Development & Housing Plateau State ,Hon. Ubandoma Joshua Laven has urged the All Progressives Congress ,(APC) to stop spreading falsehood that People Democratic Party ,(PDP) didn’t conduct congress to participate in the 2023 general elections in Nigeria .

According to him, “I come to court ,to say the truth nothing but the truth about our party PDP, because of the rumoured being peddling  against us by the opposition is  all  lies that we didn’t conduct primaries ,and we are not qualified to participate in the last poll  2023”.

He said that the  Ex- Governor of Plateau State Rt.Hon.Simon Bako Lalong will never forget in a hurry for fighting me to a standstill through the instrumentality of the law without resulting to self help or jungle Justice.

Hon. Ubandoma who was the immediate past Executive Chairman of Lantang North LGC during the 8 years Lalong held sway of  defeat impunity and power recklessness of  Governor Lalong in Court  for Fifteen time at different times. 

He revealed that  Plateau south Senatorial election were Simon Bako Lalong of the All Progressive Congress APC, challenging Sen. Napoleon Bail of People’s Democratic Party PDP declaration is baseless because the wide gap of results declared isn’t contestable .

“I had 16 cases against the state Government of Governor Bako Lalong, which I won 15, I didn’t know any judge I have not met with any of them one on one,so if your case is good,is good,”he maintained.”

The stalwart of  PDP , testified before a three man panel led by Honourable Justice Mohammed Tukur   reiterated his hope on the judiciary which is never in doubt.

He further said his coming to testify in favour of PDP,is to put an end to the false and erroneous claim by the opposition parties in the state that PDP has no structure at the time the party participated on the 2023 general election that produced the 2nd Respondent Napoleon Bali as winner of the election plateau South Senatorial Election.

“I come to court ,to say the truth nothing but the truth about our party PDP, because of the rumours being peddling  against us PDP. All the lies that we didn’t conduct primaries ,and we are not qualified to participate in the last election 2023”.

 “That  is why l have to come to court to testify on the matter. We have our structure before the state Congress , even though Edward Pwajok SAN,who is at the camp of APC now ,was at that time in the camp of PDP,in fact he was among the leading lawyers that advised the party to obey the court ruling and conduct the party’s repeated Congress held 25th September 2021 at landfield resort.

As a Stakeholder of the party, who had been following the election tribunal from the pre-hearing section till this moment, and a full beneficiary of judiciary’s benevolence ,I still believe that the judiciary is the last hope of common man.

He further lauded the way and manner the tribunal is conducting it seating with all the parties given fair hearing coupled with the experiences of the judges ,I most Commend the judges for the industries they have put on the matters so far. I know that at the end of the day, Justice will be serve according to the law which is my belief that nobody can induce the judges.

Ubandoma stressed that the first ground of APC against PDP is that the party has no structure,but said that argument have been over taken by 2022 electoral Act, which state that you can’t meddle into  the affairs of another party because what transpired in their party is an internal affairs. So whether PDP didn’t Conduct primaries or not, remain the internal business of the party.

The Napoleon Bail of  PDP, and Lalong of the APC plateau South Senatorial Election the APC are challenging on the ground of party structure,at the time of the election the party used special delegates Ad-hoc delegates not statutory delegates so their matter is died on arrival.

He accused the APC of not having structure instead of them to first remove the log of wood in their eyes before removing the pebbles in the eyes of another person .

And however reiterated his hope on the judiciary because I don’t have doubt in my mind that judiciary is going to do justice . 

I am very optimistic that who among the parties that come out victorious at the end of the election tribunal,is base on merits,so l have confident on the judiciary.

By, giwa alex, Jos

The embattled 17 Local  Government Chairmen of plateau state   between Governor Caleb Mutfwang, over unconstitutional desolution of the body   ,has been assured that  Governor Mutfwang being a lawyer will be adequately adviced over the implications of the action particularly fragrant disobedient to court order.

 Adviced all the affected local government chairmen to maintain the Status quo and give a chance pending the determination of the matter in the competent court , avoid insinuations capable of malign the state government and judiciary.

The counsel to the Chairmen who is the Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN Femi Falana give the advice in an interview with Journalists at the State High premises shorting after the hearing on a case involving LG Chairmen face off with the Plateau state government.

He added that  barrister Caleb Mutfwang,who doubled as the governor of the state is a well breed  like, and will listen to the voice of reason, and we be properly adviced I assured you. 

Falana who is the National legal adviser to ALGON , said he was specifically instructed to intervene by the National body in this matter .

I have being on ground  , that is while I am in court this morning to promote the course of Justice.

He further explained that this honorable court grant an injunction stopping the governor of plateau state from dissolving the local government chairmen, removing elected officials from seat.

Despite that order, which remain valid and subsisting , the Governor , Senior lawyer was said to have appointed a caretaker committee , till now , our clients had not been allowed to go back to their various Office.

It is a total difference of this honorable court .

We are here in the court to let the world know that nobody is above the law in Nigeria. That when the court has given an order, it has to be obey by all authority and persons,we are insisting that the order of the court most be obeyed .

The matter had been adjourned to 25th September 2023,the government have not Challenge the order of the court till now,no response have been filed regarding the case of the plateau state local government.

We hope that by the next adjourned date ,the government most have put his house in order , order of the court most be obeyed.

As a respect lawyer,what can you say of LG Chairmen not in their elected office sometime now.

That is while we are in court making efforts to return them to their offices so that their rights are not violated.

What can you say of a lawyer who fragrantly disobey court order, what does it entail to our society.

We are required to obey the order of court ,but it’s greater on lawyers ,a very senior lawyer.

His Excellency Governor Caleb Mutfwang we be properly adviced I assured you. 

The matter which is with vacating judge was initially assigned to  Justice  Suraju and later assigned to Justice S .  Bakfur as vacation judge.

The case which started denovo come up for hearing with the state government Mutfwang and Antony General of the state as Party.

However ,the matter could not continue as one  of the Claimant the Chairman of Lantang North, indicated interest to join in the matter.

As against this backdrop,the  counsel to the Claimant ,Femi Falana to the court that with the development ,he needed seven days to respond to the application .

Justice Bakfur however adjourned the matter to 25th September for the hearing of substantive matter.

Justice Bakfur urged Falana to advice his client to shun peddling of unsubstantiated rumours that because he is from the same tribe he was given the matter to frustrated it.

He said been the same tribe with the governor will not give him the reason to bend Justice.

Falana however , promise to adequately advice his client,and he will not hesitate to throw the Case file to anybody who may want to draw the name  of the judiciary on the mound.

Justice Bakfur adjourns 17 LGAs suspension case to 23rd September,urges Falana to cautions claimants.

However, Honourable .Justice S.J.Bakfur  has expressed disappointment with the conduct of supporters of the parties over insightful utterances against him  by calling on the Senior counsel Femi Falana SAN, to caution them   the claimants passing unholy allegation against his personality .

Bakfur condemned the fact that  l am in the same local government with Caleb Manasseh mutfwang that doesn’t meant that he would pass ruling in his favour because they’re  from same place , what I observe is that  the claimants are blackmailing me  that I shall compromise my position as a judge .

He warned that he won’t tolerate that nonsense as leader in the temple of justice , we have rule guiding our  conduct so everyone should not be  thinking that the court always take side is totally wrong .

Bakfur stated that he has integrity, and he won’t allow any one get involved in anything that would come here and scandalized the  judiciary  integrity .

According to him ,i am  also proceeding on vacation so there is limitation for me to handle this Local Governments suspension case file  its  final conclusion .

However ,the claimants counsel ,Femi Falana also agreed with the court that the matter should be taken after the vacation to avoid repeated ruling on two issues of interlocutory injunction and the application seeking to join in the suit by the Chairman of Langtang North. Barr Zulfa Rimven .

He  cautioned the counsel claimants should warn them against inflammatory comments that the court would compromise it judgment position .

The Seventeen Local Government Chairmen and councilors have sought the audence of the Plateau State High Court order to join in the case filed by the 17 LGAs ,on their suspension in office as executive chairmen by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang .

The counsel Zulfa Rimven  ,Emmanuel Hassan ,Esq told the court that they have a fresh application seeking to be join as parties having being served on them already .

However ,the claimants counsel ,Femi Falana told the court that they were served on Thursday last week and it is subject to the convenient of the court as he seeks the leave of the court to seven days to react because we are still within time .

The defendants counsel ,K.M. Malan also confirmed that they were served on the 27th July, 2023 on his clients Governor and Attorney General of Plateau state .

Malan said he won’t oppose their application to join the suit  now or in the future on the same time .

Justice Bakfur adjourns for continuation of hearing but stresses that the file shall be return back to the Chief Judge ,Hon.Justice David Mann office.

By,giwa alex,Jos 

The All Progressive Congress ,(APC) ,for Langtang North -North State Assembly Election ,Hon.Abel Nimchak challenging the victory of Hon .Nannim Joseph Langyi of the People Democratic Party ,(PDP) on three grounds of non compliance to the electoral act ,over voting and party structure in Plateau state .

The Election Petition Tribunal hearing the dispute arising from the 18th March,2023 election in Plateau  State House of Assembly ,Honourable Justice William Olamide  fixed September 23, 2023, for the adoption of final written addresses by parties before it.

The tribunal chairman, Justice William Olamide , adjourned sitting to that date after consulting with counsel to parties in the petition and two other members of the Panel, Justice Mohammed Mohammed  and Justice Nwide  during its sitting on Monday .

Justice William Olamide thanked counsel to parties for their cooperation throughout the period of the hearing of the petition filed by the All Progressive Congress (APC) SHA candidate, Hon. Abel Nimchak  against the victory of the state assembly  and PDP , Mr Nannim Joseph Langyi.

The tribunal urged counsel to parties to exchange their written addresses and replies within the timeframe allowed by law before the September 23 date picked for the adoption of their final written address.

The member elect disclosed in a witness docked that there was no court order that stop the PDP from conducting state congress in Plateau state alleged by the petitioners but the 25th September ,2021 held Congress was not challenge .

In paragraph 44 of the witness disposition which referred the trial tribunal to a supreme court when sought to know ,Nannim says there is now any other latest judgment apart from his own .

He told S.S.Obende that there is no single case filed after the last Congress of PDP when he was shown 2R1,1R1 which was iNEC lists of candidates in 2023 .And he  further paragraphs 11 revealed that all the 17 LGAs participated in the state congress.

Nannim Joseph confirmed that only two local governments in Plateau State had issued of exclusion which documents is Page 2 exhibit P15 where he explained that  is not true .

According to 2nd respondent,he did not participate in any of the wards Congress as committee member but the documents shown him are INEC reports of state congress held on the 25/09/2021.