The Supreme Court has deferred its ruling on the gubernatorial dispute brought by Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, who is seeking to reclaim his mandate to govern the state. The panel of justices, led by John Okoro, reserved the judgment after hearing arguments from both parties. The verdict is expected to be delivered before 16 January, the deadline for the appeal’s expiration.
The legal battle stems from the governorship election held on March 18, 2023, in which Mutfwang, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), emerged victorious with 525,299 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nentawe Yilwatda, who secured 481,370 votes. Despite the initial validation of Mutfwang’s election by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned the outcome, leading to Mutfwang’s appeal to the Supreme Court.
Accompanied by a team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Mutfwang appealed to the apex court, accusing the Court of Appeal of denying him and the PDP fair hearing and calling for the nullification of the appellate court’s judgment that led to his ouster from office. In response, he presented eight grounds to support his appeal, contesting the jurisdiction of the lower court and emphasizing the lack of evidence from the opposing parties.
The core of Mutfwang’s argument is centered on the interpretation of election laws and constitutional provisions. He insisted that the issues raised by the APC were internal matters of the PDP and therefore not within the purview of the opposing party. Furthermore, he refuted allegations of non-compliance and emphasized the validity of his party’s election processes.
The judgment of the Court of Appeal, delivered on November 19, 2023, forms the crux of this legal showdown. The appellate court’s decision, based on the interpretation of election laws and the constitution, nullified Mutfwang’s election and ordered the issuance of a Certificate of Return to the APC’s candidate, Nentawe Goshwe.
The forthcoming ruling by the Supreme Court holds immense significance, as it will determine the political leadership of Plateau State. The complexity of the legal arguments, combined with the high stakes involved, underscores the gravity of the impending judgment and its potential ramifications for the state’s governance.
The Supreme Court’s decision will not only shape the political landscape of Plateau State but also set a precedent for electoral disputes across Nigeria. The intricacies of the case, legal interpretations, and the broader implications of the ruling make it a focal point of national attention, with far-reaching consequences for democracy and the rule of law in the country.
