By Israel Adamu,Jos
North Central All Progressive Congress (APC) Forum yesterday cautioned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Plateau State against organizing any form of protest against the ongoing election judgement in the Appeal Court in Abuja.
Speaking in Jos the Plateau State capital at the forum’s meeting to strategize for the senatorial rerun election ordered by the court, the Chairman, Saleh Mandung Zazzaga, said they have been rumours making the rounds about PDP in Plateau State will be stagging a protest in Jos.
According to him, such moves, if true, may not be wise so that it does not degenerate to violence.
He said Jos and Plateau State in general has gone through a lot of crisis over the years and sensitive political issues or demonstrations can trigger crisis if not properly managed.
“The ongoing Plateau election cases at the Appeal Court has been heating the polity unnecessarily. Post election court cases is not only peculiar to Plateau State, and so there is no need to make any problem out of it.
“After election, any aggrieved political party or candidate has the right to pursue their grievances and seek Justice in court, and the judgement of the court is always complied with.
“But for any party or group to want to stage a protest against court matters is uncalled for. We are not questioning the authenticity of the rumour, but all we are saying is to sound a note of caution to any party or group nursing such intention.
“Besides, Plateau State as well as Jos has seen many ethno-religious crisis, and politics is always used as a strong tool to orchestrate the crisis. So, any political protest should always be considered so that it doesn’t turn violence.
“The two current leaders of both the PDP and APC in the state, Governor Caleb Mutfwang and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, respectively, are Lawyers. So, they understand what the law says, respect for courts and justices. And therefore we expect that they should be able to caution their respective party members and supporters alike,” he said.
He called on the PDP Presidential Candidate to congratulate President Bola Tinubu after the Supreme Court judgement in Tinubu’s favour, and join hands to work with him and move nation forward.
The failure to do so by Atiku, Zazzaga said, will send wrong signal to other unsuccessful party candidates at the court, especially the PDP whom he is their father figure, and they will unfortunately continue to challenge governance at all levels.
He said such situation is not good for national development, unity and stimulation of democratic dividends.
