Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State was on Saturday received by a mammoth crowd of supporters at the Yakubu Gowon Airport Heipang.
The governor was returning to the state one week after the verdict of the Court of Appeal that nullified his election.
The supporters, who converged at the airport and other strategic locations within Jos and environs, reaffirmed their support to the governor and expressed confidence in the Supreme Court for fairness and justice.
DAILY POST recalls that Mutfwang polled a total of 525,299 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda who scored 481,370 votes.
His victory was reaffirmed at the election tribunal, but a panel of the Court of Appeal nullified it.
Addressing journalists at the airport, Mutfwang the Court of Appeal verdict as a temporary setback and reassured the people that God will restore his mandate.
He said, “I am excited to be back home, I feel so loved by the people and I have come to say thank you to Plateau people.
“I have come back home to say thank you to the good people of Plateau State for their prayers and for standing with us.
“I want to also thank our friends across Nigeria and across the world who have stood with us, they have shown interest in what is happening on the Plateau and I want to say a very big thank you.
“I want to assure you that we began this project with God on our side and I want to assure you that God is still on our side and by his grace, Plateau people will smile, by his grace, Plateau people will rejoice.
“For we bear no grudges against anyone and we have confidence in the judiciary despite all that has happened. God who control the hearts of men is going to ensure that what will bring joy to the people of Plateau State is done.
“I therefore encourage you to stay steadfast in prayer, there is no need for evil talk, we will not reply those who mean evil for us.
“We will continue to encourage our people to remain calm. This is our land, we will not allow anybody to destroy it, therefore we must stay together”, he admonished.
“There are people who are not happy with our unity. I want to plead with the people of Plateau that let us stay together. Iam proud and excited that you have made me your leader.
“I am proud of all Plateau people. Across the divides of faith, I have seen Muslims rise up in our defense, I have seen Christians raise up in our defence. I have seen elders, I have seen women and I have seen youths and I say this is the Plateau direction we want to go”, he maintained.
“I therefore, urge us to remain united, peaceful. Every journey from bondage to freedom has hiccups and there are many huddles we must cross, and whatever we have experienced so far is a temporary huddle and by the grace of God we will reach the promise land.”
Appeal Court judgement: Mammoth crowd receives Mutfwang on return to Plateau
