Tribunal Upholds Plateau Gov Caleb Mutfwang’s Victory

The Plateau Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has affirmed Caleb Mutfwang’s victory in the March 18 gubernatorial elections.

The tribunal dismissed the All Progressives Congress (APC) case and Nentawe Yilwatda, its candidate, on Friday.

In response to the claim that the PDP did not hold a congress, the tribunal ruled that the PDP congress did happen on September 25, 2021.

The tribunal said that Mr. Mutfwang was the winner and that there was no evidence that the gubernatorial race was illegal.

The tribunal also said that things that have to do with nominating and supporting a candidate are pre-election issues.

“When the election of INEC has to do with the activities of a party, no court has the power to hear a suit brought by another political party,” the tribunal said, citing examples from other cases.

Alfred Dabwan, the governorship candidate for the New Nigeria People’s Party, had asked the tribunal to throw out the election because INEC allegedly took his party’s logo off the ballot. However, the tribunal had already turned down his plea.