Supreme Court Delays Judgment on Plateau Governor Mutfwang’s Appeal: Political Fate Hangs in Balance
In a significant twist to the legal battle surrounding Plateau State, the Supreme Court has reserved judgment on the appeal filed by the ousted Governor Caleb Mutfwang. The appeal, seeking to affirm Mutfwang’s nullified election, faced a delay in its adjudication, leaving the political destiny of Plateau State in suspense.
Read Also TB Joshua Documentary: We Are Not Familiar With Characters on BBC Documentary, SCOAN
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had initially secured victory with 525,299 votes in the March 18, 2023, governorship election, defeating the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, who amassed 481,370 votes, as confirmed by TVC News.
Despite the initial validation of Mutfwang’s election by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in its judgment on November 19, 2023, overturned the governor’s victory. This prompted Mutfwang to file an appeal at the Supreme Court, challenging the decision of the lower court.
Read Also Aliko Dangote Reclaims Title as Africa’s Wealthiest Man According to Forbes 2024 Rankings
The embattled governor expressed his confidence that the setback caused by the appeal court’s ruling would be temporary, and he remains optimistic about the restoration of the mandate “overwhelmingly given to him” by the people of Plateau State.
The delay in the Supreme Court’s judgment adds a layer of uncertainty to the political landscape in Plateau, with Mutfwang striving to reclaim his nullified victory amidst stiff opposition from Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a similar legal development, the Supreme Court has also reserved judgment on the appeal challenging the victory of Francis Nwifuru in the Ebonyi State governorship election. The appeal was brought by Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Moreover, in Benue State, the Supreme Court rejected an appeal challenging the election of Governor Hyacinth Alia. The withdrawal of the appeal by Sebastian Hon, representing Mr. Titus Uba from the PDP, signaled a resolution in favor of Governor Alia.
These legal battles underscore the intricacies and challenges faced by the judicial system in determining electoral disputes, shaping the political landscape of various states in Nigeria. The Supreme Court’s decisions, when eventually delivered, will significantly influence the trajectory of governance in the affected states.
