By Milcah Tanimu

The Court of Appeal has nullified the election of the governor of Plateau State, Mutfwang, stating that he was not validly nominated and sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to participate in the gubernatorial contest that took place on March 18. The court declared that all votes credited to him and the PDP were wasted votes.

The three-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Elfrieda Williams-Dawodu, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Mutfwang and directed that the candidate with the second-highest lawful votes be sworn in as governor.

The appeal was lodged by the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Nentawe Goshwe, who contested the election results. Goshwe argued that the PDP lacked the political structure in the state and, therefore, could not validly nominate or sponsor a candidate for the governorship poll. He also alleged that the election was marred by over-voting and non-compliance with key provisions of the Electoral Act.

The court upheld Goshwe’s appeal and nullified the election, agreeing that Mutfwang lacked the valid sponsorship of a political party, as required by the constitution. The panel had previously, on November 7, sacked a senator and three members of the House of Representatives in the state who won their elections on the PDP platform. This decision was based on the PDP’s failure to comply fully with a court order directing the party to conduct congresses in the 17 local government areas in the state.