By Becky Usman

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the earlier tribunal decision and affirmed Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected Governor of Plateau State. The ruling set aside the victory initially awarded to Caleb Mutfwang of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

INEC had declared Mutfwang the winner on March 20, with 525,299 votes against Nentawe’s 481,370 votes. Dissatisfied with the results, the APC and Nentawe took their case to the tribunal, citing irregularities and asserting that the PDP lacked a valid structure due to non-compliance with a court order.

The Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed the petition on September 22 for lacking merit, prompting Nentawe and the APC to appeal the decision. The Appeal Court, in its recent judgment, concurred that the PDP violated a court order and did not have a valid structure.

The panel emphasized that the issue of qualification was both a pre and post-election matter under relevant constitutional and electoral laws. They agreed with the appellant that the PDP’s failure to comply with court orders directing valid congresses before nominating candidates constituted a breach of the law.

Justice Okon Abang, who presided over the panel, highlighted that sentiments and sympathy should not influence legal decisions. He noted that the lack of sponsorship by the PDP was a post-election matter, and the tribunal erred in stating that the appellants lacked the right to contest the election.

Justice Elfreda Oluwayemisi Williams-Dawodu, who chaired the panel, ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Mutfwang and instead award it to Nentawe as the duly elected Governor of Plateau State. The ruling emphasized the importance of compliance with court orders and the necessity for political parties to have a valid structure for candidacy qualification.