Plateau tribunal upholds Gov Caleb Mutfwang’s victory

The Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, convened in Jos, has upheld the victory of Caleb Mutfwang in the Gubernatorial election held on March 18.

IDOKO SALIHU • September 22, 2023

Caleb Mutfwang

The Plateau governorship election petitions tribunal has upheld the victory of Caleb Mutfwang in the March 18 gubernatorial poll.

The tribunal delivered its judgment on Friday, dismissing the All Progressives Congress (APC) petition and its candidate, Nentawe Yilwatda.

Regarding the issue of the PDP not holding a congress, the tribunal confirmed that the PDP congress did indeed take place on September 25, 2021.

In affirming Mr Mutfwang’s victory, the tribunal found no evidence to suggest that the gubernatorial election violated the law.

The tribunal further noted that matters related to the nomination and sponsorship of a candidate fall under pre-election matters.

“When the election of INEC relates to activities of a party, no court has jurisdiction to entertain a suit brought by another political party,” the tribunal noted, referring to precedents from other cases.

The tribunal had previously dismissed the petition filed by Alfred Dabwan, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party, who sought to nullify the poll due to the alleged exclusion of his party’s logo from the ballot by INEC.

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