By: Amb. Valentine Adese (JP),
As the people of Plateau State are getting prepared, to usher in the New Year 2024, and also putting efforts into finding a solution to the unabated attacks on its people by yet-to-be-unmasked attackers, the politicians in the state on their part are preparing to continue their War of Supremacy from all fronts.
You would recall that most of the litigation instituted in 2023, by Political Actors and Non-actors in the state, have been adjourned and carried over to 2024 by most of the Courts hearing these cases.
From records, there is a Political Supremacy War between Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Esq) and Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda at the Supreme Court of Nigeria, over who won the 2023 Governorship election in the state.
While Governor Caleb won the matter at the Tribunal, the Governor-Elect, Nentawe, won at the Court of Appeal.
You would also recall that the Petition of Nentawe and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was dismissed by the Panel which heard the Petition at the Tribunal on the ground that they (The panel) lack jurisdiction to hear the “Ground One” of the Petition as it is more of a Pre-election issue. But the Court of Appeal on its part, assumed jurisdiction, heard the Appeal of Dr. Nentawe, allowed the Appeal, Set aside the decision of the Tribunal, and sacked Caleb (Esq) by holding that he (Governor Caleb) contested the election as an Independent Candidate.
The matter is fixed for 9th January 2024, and the people of Plateau State would be more focused on this development in January.
Secondly, Governor Caleb (Esq) has issues to grand with the 17 Local Government Council (LGC) Chairmen he suspended from office in 2023. You would recall that in their place, he had appointed Caretaker Committees to oversee the affairs of the LGCs.
To challenge his powers to remove them, the LGC Chairmen had instituted Suit No: PLD/J257/2023, before the Plateau State High Court.
The hearing of the suit filed by way of Originating Summons by the Chairmen, which commenced in 2023 is now spilling into 2024, as the Court hearing the matter and presided over by Hon. Justice Samchi, has adjourned the matter to the 10th of January 2024, for a definite hearing.
As of the time of writing, the Defendants (the Speaker and the Plateau State House of Assembly), Suo Motu joined by the Court, are yet to file appearances into the matter nor have they filed a defense to the suit as the 3rd and 4th Defendants.
You would recall that REALITY has reported that while Governor Mutfwang (Esq) is the 1st Defendant in the suit, the State Attorney General is the 2nd Defendant.
Also in January 2024, the Governor of Plateau State, aside from the Political Supremacy War with the Governor-Elect, Dr. Nentawe, he would be wrestling political power with the Members of the Plateau State House of Assembly, as there is a reconfiguration of the 24 Members of the House in 2023 and their swearing-in may be in 2024.
Earlier, it was members of Mutfwang’s political party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that had the majority of the Members in the House. But with developments that arose out of the Tribunals and all the PDP Lawmakers in the House have been sacked, the Governor has more to contend with the APC Lawmakers in 2024.
Firstly, the issue of sacking of the APC’s 17 LGC Chairmen and replacing them with PDP TICs, would be contended by the APC Lawmakers in January 2024.
More also, Suit No: PLD/J257/2023, filed by the LGC Chairmen, may become complicated as the House of Assembly having a majority of APC Lawmakers, may not want to stand against the LGC Chairmen and that may leave Governor Caleb (Esq) alone, even when he wins at the Supreme Court.
MORE TO COME…
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