Tribunal judgement minor setback, says Gagdi

The member representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Yusuf Gagdi, has described the recent judgment by the Plateau State Governorship Election Tribunal as a minor setback in the broader political landscape.

Gagdi, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Navy emphasised that the outcome was just one phase in the electoral process, and the journey for justice is far from over.

The PUNCH reports that the Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Friday affirmed Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected governor of the state.

The tribunal had dismissed the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress and its governorship candidate, Nentawe Yiltwatda, having challenged the election results, claiming that Mutfwang was not validly nominated by the PDP and that there had been over-voting in some areas.

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However, in a statement on Saturday Gagdi said while the judgment represented a temporary setback, it did not shake his unwavering faith in the justice system.

The federal parliamentarian despite the challenges and controversies surrounding the election, called on supporters to remain composed and exhibit decorum, emphasising that the judiciary remained the last bastion of hope for the common man.

He said “The judgment today was a continuation of the electoral process which shall climax at the Supreme Court. We believe in the judiciary to right whatever wrong we are convinced was perpetrated in the election that deprived us of victory.

“The verdict of the tribunal is one of the three stages available for us to seek redress. It was a minor setback that neither dwindled nor extinguished my trust in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

“While we await the position of the party leaders and our principal on the next line of action, I appeal to our supporters not to despair, but remain committed to the ideals of the Generation Next mantra and behave in ourselves with utmost decorum as it is usually in our character.

“The best is saved for the last! Because it is not yet over until it is over. We are optimistic of a better outcome at the appellate courts,” he said.