Plateau State Governor Lauds President Tinubu For Non-Interference In Judiciary

Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s non-interference in the judiciary.

Governor Mutfwamg said he has not only affirmed his statesmanship credentials as a sound democrat but as one that promises total independence for the Nigerian democracy.

The governor, who was on a thank-you visit to the Presidential Villa, said this while responding to questions from State House Correspondents after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Supreme Court had last week Friday affirmed the election of Mutfwang as governor of Plateau State, ending the electoral dispute on his election as the Governor of  Plateau  State.

Speaking on the purpose of his visit, the Governor said “I came to see the President purposely to say a very big thank you to Mr. President, for keeping democracy alive in Nigeria.
 
“As you all know, I went through a very protracted legal battle and I’ve said it openly and I am repeating that the Nigerian president is powerful. And if he does not exercise restraint in the exercise of his power, he can intrude into the judicial arena and the judiciary will not be allowed to perform its function.
 
“In my case and several others, I’m sure, we can attest to the fact that Mr. President allowed the judiciary to perform its functions as it should thereby guaranteeing its independence.
 
“I, therefore, must come to thank him for exercising that restraint because those who wanted to pervert justice also brought tremendous pressure on him to see how he could interfere, but I must put it that Mr President choosing not to interfere is  a credit to his statesmanship, is a credit to his credentials as a sound democrat, and this is the only way we can ensure that our institutions mature to the point where they can guarantee not only the survival of democracy but also ensure that institutions should be able to survive, develop and outlived individuals.”
 
Mutfwang also disclosed that he updated the President on the security situation following the  Christmas period attacks on the Plateau.
 
“This is why I came principally to say thank you to the President. And of course, you know Mr President will not meet me and not ask about the security situation on the Plateau. And I also give them an update.

“Things are relatively calm at the moment. The security agencies are on the pursuit of the perpetrators of this dastardly act that we experienced during the Christmas period and we’re doing our best together with the federal government and international donor partners to be able to mitigate the pain of those families who lost their loved ones, and also those who are internally displaced. 
 
“So we’re doing our best and we’re also ensuring that we step up our security surveillance to prevent further occurrence of this kind of needless bloodshed.”

Speaking on the way forward for his party members sacked by the Appeal Court ahead of the Plateau State House of Assembly resumption next week Tuesday, Governor Mutfwang said that “all possible solutions we could being looked at.”

“Yes, I think this is an ongoing discussion. And I can’t tell you anything now, because we are looking at all the possible solutions,  legally, politically or otherwise, my interest is to have a peaceful state where I can focus on development and governance. And therefore, we want to ensure that we reduce all areas of friction as much as we can. 
 
“I want to particularly thank Nigerians for the interest they have shown in the Plateau situation. We do not take it for granted. And I believe that out of the Plateau situation, our jurisprudence will be enriched and justice will find sure footings in Nigeria are the future. That’s the much I can say.” Plateau Governor added.

Confidence Okwuchi