The apex court held that the validity of nomination and sponsorship by Mutfwang’s party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – is not a ground for nullifying the March 18, 2023 election.
The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Caleb Mutfwang as the governor of Plateau State.
The apex court held that the validity of nomination and sponsorship by Mutfwang’s party – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – is not a ground for nullifying the March 18, 2023 election.
“The Court of Appeal lacks the jurisdiction to determine the validity of the candidacy of the PDP," Justice Emmanuel Agim said.
The Court of Appeal nullified the election of Mutfwang in November 2023 and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but the governor proceeded to the apex court to seek redress.
The governor through his counsel, Kanu Agabi, had urged the apex court to affirm the judgement of the tribunal and void the judgment of the Appeal Court.
He argued that the respondents do not have the right to question how his party elected its state executives.
The respondents are Goshwe and the APC.
The respondents argued that Mutfwang did not get the number of lawful votes ascribed to him by the electoral body, describing the election as invalid.