Appeal Court sacks Muftwang as Plateau Governor

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has sacked Caleb  Muftwang as Governor of Plateau State.

In a unanimous decision on Sunday, a three-member panel held that Muftwang was not validly sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as provided by Section 285(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.

The panel agreed with the appellant, Goshwe, that the PDP’s failure to adhere to the Plateau State High Court’s order in suit no: PLD/J304/2020 and the Court of Appeal order in CA/J1/93/2021 constituted a breach of law. This required the PDP to conduct valid ward, local government, and state congresses before nominating candidates for various elective positions.

Consequently, the panel nullified the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal’s judgment, deeming it “highly inconsistent” and a violation of fair hearing due to its reliance on expunged witness statements to dismiss Goshwe’s appeal.

The court ordered INEC to revoke Mutfwang’s certificate of return and issue a new one declaring APC’s Nentawe Yilwatda as the winner of the March 18 Plateau State Governorship Election.