- The Court of Appeal reserves judgment in the appeal challenging the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang in Plateau State
- Nentawe Goshwe, APC’s candidate, contests Mutfwang’s election, alleging invalid nomination and sponsorship, lack of PDP structure, and electoral non-compliance
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has kept its judgment reserved in the appeal challenging the election of Governor Caleb Mutfwang. Following arguments presented by lawyers in the matter, a three-member panel of justices decided to reserve the judgment on Saturday.
The appeal was initiated by Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against Governor Mutfwang and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Mutfwang was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), securing 525,299 votes and defeating 17 other candidates, including Goshwe, who polled 481,370 votes.
Goshwe, dissatisfied with the outcome, contested Mutfwang’s election at the tribunal, asserting that the governor was not validly nominated and sponsored by the PDP. He also claimed that the PDP lacked the structure to sponsor any candidate for the governorship election. Furthermore, Goshwe alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act and challenged the validity of the votes cast during the election.
However, a unanimous decision by the three-member tribunal panel, led by Justice R. Irele-Ifijeh, dismissed the petition, deeming it lacking in merit.
Unsatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, the APC candidate appealed, urging the appellate court to declare him the winner based on the argument that the governor was not qualified to contest the election due to the alleged invalid sponsorship by the PDP. The Court of Appeal is now tasked with making a judgment on this ongoing legal dispute.