UPDATED: Supreme Court reinstates Plateau gov

By
Solomon Odeniyi

The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang.

Muftwang’s victory at the March 18, 2023 poll was upheld by the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos but the appeal court overturned the lower court’s victory declaring Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress the winner of the election.

The Appeal Court ruled that the failure of the PDP to comply with the order of the Plateau State High Court in Jos directing it to conduct valid ward, local governments, and state congresses before nominating its candidates for the various elective posts was a breach of the law.

The court, for the same reason, sacked many lawmakers elected on the PDP platform in the state.

Reading the judgment of the apex court on Friday, Justice Emmanuel Agim held that the APC and its candidate are not members of the PDP and cannot challenge the primary election of the PDP.

He also held that the tribunal and court of appeal lacked jurisdiction to entertain the issue.

Agim noted that the petition of the APC in the first place was an abuse of the court process and faulted the appeal court for sacking the governor.

He said, “The petition by the APC and its candidates are abuse of the court process.

“I wonder why the matter came to court at all. This appeal is allowed.”

“My worry is that a lot of people have suffered as a result of this,” Justice John Okoro said while agreeing with the lead judgment.

Credit: The Punch