The Supreme Court has upheld Caleb Muftwang’s position as the Governor of Plateau State, dismissing the petition filed by Nentawe Yilwatda of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ruling solidifies the victory of Muftwang, who secured 525,299 votes according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the March 18 governorship poll, defeating Yilwatda, who garnered 481,370 votes.
The Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had initially upheld Muftwang’s election, but the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the victory, leading to the appeal to the Supreme Court.
Justice Akomaya Agim, delivering the lead judgment, emphasized that the sponsorship of a candidate for an election is an internal affair of a political party.
The justice declared that the Court of Appeal lacked jurisdiction to determine the validity of the candidacy of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and stated that Nentawe Yilwatda of the APC had no right to challenge Muftwang’s emergence as the PDP’s ticket-holder.
The supreme court has vindicated itself by confirming the will of the people instead ruling on technicalities.