The Court of Appeal in Abuja has invalidated the election of Governor Caleb Muftwang in Plateau State. A unanimous decision by a three-member panel on Sunday held that Muftwang’s sponsorship by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not comply with Section 285(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.
The panel ruled that Nentawe Goshwe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, had a successful appeal as the qualification issue was both a pre and post-election matter, citing Sections 177(c) of the Nigerian Constitution, 1999, and Sections 80 and 82 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The court agreed with Goshwe’s argument that the PDP’s failure to adhere to court orders to conduct valid congresses before nominating candidates was a breach of the law. It further deemed the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal’s judgment inconsistent and a violation of fair hearing by relying on expunged witness statements to dismiss Goshwe’s appeal.
Consequently, the panel ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to retract Muftwang’s certificate of return and issue a new one to Goshwe.
