The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the election of Governor Caleb Muftwang of Plateau State. A three-member panel, in a unanimous decision on Sunday, found that Muftwang’s sponsorship by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not comply with Section 285(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.
The panel emphasized that the appeal brought by Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was successful. They highlighted that the issue of qualification was both a pre and post-election matter under Section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999, and Section 80 and 82 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The panel concurred with the appellant (Goshwe), asserting that the PDP’s failure to adhere to the Plateau State High Court’s order in Jos, directing the conduct of valid ward, local governments, and state congresses before nominating candidates, was a breach of the law.
Consequently, the panel set aside the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal’s judgment, citing it as “highly inconsistent and a breach of fair hearing” for relying on expunged witnesses’ statements to reject Goshwe’s appeal.
The Court of Appeal ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke the certificate of return issued to Muftwang and issue a fresh one to Goshwe.
