Supreme Court Affirms Caleb Mutfwang's Victory as Plateau Governor
In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court has upheld the election of Mr. Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected Governor of Plateau State. The appeal, filed by Mutfwang, seeking to restore his mandate to lead the state, was successful, leading to the setting aside of the Court of Appeal's judgment.
Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the judgment, declared that the governor's appeal had merit. This decision comes after the Court of Appeal, in a unanimous decision in November, had ruled that Muftwang was not sponsored by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The court had consequently declared Nentawe Yilwada of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the governorship election held on March 18, 2023.
As per the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mutfwang secured 525,299 votes, surpassing Mr. Yilwada who polled 481,370 votes. The Plateau Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had initially affirmed Muftwang's victory, leading Mr. Yilwada to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
With the Supreme Court's decision, the legal dispute over the Plateau governorship election is conclusively settled, and Caleb Mutfwang's position as the Governor of Plateau State is affirmed.