Appeal Court Sacks Muftwang As Governor Of Plateau State…Declares Goshwe Winner of 2023 Guber Polls

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

The Court held that the appeal brought by Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress (APC) succeeds as the issue of qualification was both a pre and post election matter under Section 177(c) of the Nigerian Constution, 1999 and Section 80 and 82 of the Electoral Act, 2022.

The panel then agreed with the appellant (Goshwe) that the failure of the PDP to comply with the order of the Plateau State High Court in Jos in suit no: PLD/J304/2020 between Bitrus B. Kaze & 11 ors vs the Peoples Democratic Party & 24 ors directing it to conduct valid ward, local governments and state congresses before nominating its candidates for the various elective posts and the Court of Appeal order in CA/J1/93/2021 was a breach of the law.

Therefore,  the panel set aside the judgement of the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal for being “highly inconsistent and breach of fair hearing by relying on expunged witnesses’ statements to refuse Goshwe’s appeal”.

The panel ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the certificate of return issued to Muftwang and issue a fresh one to Goshwe.

Meanwhile, it has been jubilation galore in the APC camp, and amongst it’s supporters.

The member representing PKK and chairman, House committee on Navy, Yusuf Gadgi in a statement on Sunday said, ” It is the dawn of a new era in Plateau State with the victory of our Governor-Elect, Dr. Nentawe Yilwada Goshwe at the Court of Appeal today, where his victory was affirmed as the legally recognized winner of the March 18, 2023 gubernatorial elections in Plateau State, following the nullification of PDP’s phyric victory.”

He said, “We have always indulged our teaming supporters to exercise restraint in their conducts, despite unwarranted provocation by our political opponents who unleashed all weapons of propaganda and emotional blackmail in their arsenals to sway the pendulum of justice and curry public sympathy in their desperation to hold unto power.”

“Our believe in the judiciary as the bastion of justice and the last hope of the common man has always been unwavering, and we hold same in the highest esteem as we look forward to approaching the final phase of the legal tussle.”

“While I call on all APC supporters to be magnanimous in victory and celebrate this milestone with all sense of modesty, it is my fervent prayer that our joys shall never be cut short by the evil machinations of our adversaries.”

“I strongly believe the prosperity and serenity of Plateau State shall leap in bounds under the guidance of Dr. Nentawe Yilwada Goshwe as the Executive Governor of the State. We shall continue to pray for the success of your administration”, he added.