News Rendezvous

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has declared Caleb Muftwang, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the 2023 governorship election in Plateau State.

The apex court gave the judgement on Friday, two months after the Court of Appeal nullified Mutfwang’s election victory.

According to the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mutfwang garnered 525,299 votes, while Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, had 481,370 votes in the March 18 election.

The Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had initially affirmed Mutfwang’s victory. However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified the verdict on November 19, 2023, thereby declaring the APC candidate, who came second, governor.

The Court of Appeal held that the primary election that produced Mutfwang as PDP’s candidate and his subsequent nomination to INEC were invalid.

Mutfwang subsequently filed an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge the Appeal Court’s decision, and he was declared the winner.

While reading the judgement Friday, Justice Emmanuel Agim held that, “The court of appeal lacks the jurisdiction to determine the validity of the candidacy of the PDP”.

“The judgement of the Court of Appeal is set aside, inclusive of the orders made therein. The judgement of the tribunal is restored. The election of the governor is further restored,” Agim said.