As the Supreme Court prepares to deliver a judgment on the Plateau State governorship election, anxiety has gripped residents of the state, particularly in Mangu and Pankshin Local Government Areas, the hometowns of the two candidates involved.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang filed an appeal challenging his removal by the Court of Appeal, which had earlier ruled that he was not sponsored by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The appeal court upheld Nentawe Yilwada of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 18, 2023, gubernatorial election.
A situation report on Thursday revealed heightened tension in the state, especially in the mentioned local government areas. The two ethnic groups, Mwoghavul and Angas, to which the candidates belong, share boundaries but speak different languages. The Supreme Court’s decision is final, and the judgment may impact the relationship between these ethnic groups.
The court case has already led to disunity and rivalry between the Mwoghavul and Angas people, who were previously living peacefully as brothers. Panshak Dawal, a resident of Ampan West, expressed concern about the deteriorating unity, stating, “This case has already brought serious rivalry between the two brothers, our Mwoghavul people and those of the Angas people; we are no longer united.”
Gogwim Gutong, an Angas man, expressed confidence that Mr. Yilwada would emerge victorious in court, saying, “As you know, the Supreme Court is going to declare our APC candidate as the governor of our state tomorrow by God’s grace.”
In response to the growing panic, the APC has appealed for calm. Sylvanus Namang, the party’s State Publicity Secretary, emphasized the party’s commitment to maintaining decorum and peace, regardless of the court’s decision. The party called on security agencies in the state to be extra vigilant.
Efforts to obtain a comment from the PDP were unsuccessful.
Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State Chairman, Polycap Lubo, also appealed for calm and restraint among citizens, acknowledging the state’s mourning period following recent incidents. Lubo urged parties and supporters to accept the Supreme Court’s judgment with good faith and warned against sacrificing lives for political causes, emphasizing the sanctity and preciousness of life in the sight of God.