Supreme Court Reinstates Governor Mutfwang, Overturns Appeal Court’s Verdict

The Supreme Court reinstated Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State on Friday, overturning the Court of Appeal’s nullification of his election. The unanimous decision by a five-member panel of Justices overturned the appellate court’s ruling that had declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Nentawe Goshwe, as the valid winner of the state’s governorship election held on March 18, 2023.

In a landmark judgement, the Supreme Court upheld Governor Mutfwang’s victory, emphasizing that the validity of his nomination by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was not a ground for challenge at an election petition tribunal. Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the lead judgement, stated that the appellate court had overstepped its jurisdiction by attempting to determine the validity of the primary election that nominated Mutfwang as the PDP’s candidate.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court ruled that the APC and its candidate did not have the legal standing (locus standi) to challenge Mutfwang’s candidature. According to section 84(18) of the Electoral Act 2022, only members of the PDP who participated in its primary election had the right to contest the outcome in court. The court also noted that the time limit for challenging Mutfwang’s candidature at the high court had lapsed, making the issue statute-barred.

The apex court criticized the handling of the case, describing it as an abuse of the legal process. Justice Agim cautioned that such judgements could diminish the public’s perception of the legal profession’s credibility.

Vanguard News