Tribunal Upholds Election Of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang | READ DETAILS

Tribunal Upholds Election Of Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang | READ DETAILS

The Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, has affirmed governor Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the February 25, 2023 governorship election in the state.

The three-member panel led by Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi while giving judgement in Jos on Friday, dismissed the petition of the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda on the grounds that it lacked merit.

The Tribunal held that the PDP held a valid congress in Plateau State on 25th September, 2023.

The Tribunal also held that the issue of nomination and sponsorship of a candidate is a pre-election matter.

Nentawe had approached the Tribunal challenging the declaration of Mutfwang by INEC as Governor of Plateau State alleging that as at the time of the election Mutfwang was not qualified to contest having not been validly nominated and sponsored by his Party (PDP) as the Party had no structure as at the time of the said election.

Recall that on March 20, the INEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof Idris Amali, announced Mutfwang as the winner having scored 525,299 votes, while Yilwatda polled 481,370 votes.

According to the results, the PDP won in 10 local government areas (LGAs), including Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Lantang North, Langtang South, Riyom, Mikang, Mangu, Jos East, Qua’an Pan and Pokkos.

On the other hand, the APC had the highest votes in seven LGAs of Jos East, Kanke, Kanam, Pankshin, Shendam, Wase, and Jos North.