Women from Plateau State have taken to the streets to protest recent appeal court judgements related to the 2023 general elections.
Dressed in black and holding placards bearing various slogans, the women voiced their dissatisfaction with the court’s decisions, labeling them as unfair and inappropriate.
Leading the demonstration was Mrs. Martina Dakur, representing the Plateau State Women of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
She called on the judiciary to ensure justice, stressing that the court’s judgements in Plateau State are inconsistent with those in other areas.
You can see that Plateau women are all here weeping and when you see women weeping, you know there is trouble in the land.
“We are the mothers of the land and we are crying because our mandate have been stolen.
The decision of the Court of Appeal is totally unacceptable to us because it’s not in line with the position of the law and so, it’s obvious that there is a conspiracy against Plateau State.
“We are here in our numbers to tell the whole world that we are not happy with the Court of Appeal.
“We have seen the same Court of Appeal delivered judgments on similar matters regarding other states and were considered pre-election matters and we are wondering why the case of Plateau State is different?
“We are calling on the Court of Appeal to do the needful by adhering to the requirement of the law in its subsequent judgments”, the woman leader said.
Former Minister of Water Resources, Mrs. Sarah Reng Ochepe also addressed the crowd, criticizing the appeal court’s decision as needless.
“We have never seen this kind of selective judgment since the advent of our democracy 24 years ago.
“There seems to be a conspiracy against the people of Plateau State. That’s why we are here to speak with one voice and let the Appeal Court judges know that it’s the Almighty God who put them there to dispense Justice.
“They should bear in mind that one day they will equally appear before God to give account of all they did on earth”.
In her submission, Hajiya Sa’adatu Awatai, Muslim woman leader in Plateau State called for the review of the Judgments involving lawmakers from Plateau State earlier delivered by the Appeal Court.
She further called on the Appeal Court not to tamper with the decision of the trial tribunal which affirmed the election of Barr. Caleb Mutfwang as governor of Plateau State.
“Barr Caleb Mutfwang is the wish of the majority of people of Plateau State. We call on the Court of Appeal to desist from imposing on us people that were rejected at the polls.
“That is why we here crying with a loud voice that the Appeal Court should stop tampering with the mandate of the people.
“We are also here to express our unalloyed and total support to our dear Governor, Barr Caleb Mutfwang.
“Mutfwang has shown commitment, desire and willingness to move Plateau State to an enviable heights.
“He has shown commitment toward changing the face Plateau State. This is evident in what he has done in just five months in office.
“It’s obvious that no governor has made such tremendous achievements in his five months in office as Mutfwang has done.
“No past governor has also made such an effort to unite the people as he is doing. He loves all irrespective of religion, tribal or political affiliations.
“We are witnessing relative peace in Plateau State and nothing should be done by any person or institution that will triggers upheavals and return the state to dark days of agony”, Hajiya Sa’adatu Awatai said.
The Plateau women vying for the PDP demanded an end to what they perceive as unjust treatment and called for the reinstallation of duly elected members at both state and federal levels.