Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting at High Court Jos on Monday dismissed the petition filed by Alfred Dabwan and his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) against Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
Even as the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Jos has nullified the election of the Barakinladi -Riyom Federal Constituency.
The petitioner, Alfred Dabwan had approached the Tribunal seeking the nullification of the March 18, 2023 Governorship Election which INEC declared and returned Mutfwang for unlawful exclusion of the logo of NNPP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the ballot.
The Tribunal clarified that the unlawful exclusion of the petitioner logo does not constitute a valid ground for the trial tribunal to quash the election, thereby stifling that relief.
Also, the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal has nullified the election result of the Barakin-Ladi /Riyom Federal Constituency won by Hon. Peter Gyenden and declared the candidate of the Labour Party as the winner of the election.
The Tribunal based its decision on the ground of the failure of the People’s Democratic Party to adhere to the orders issued by Jos High Court, leading to the nullification of the election results.
Meanwhile, Plateau State Governor, Mutfwang, has hailed the verdict of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which ruled in his favor following a petition by Alfred Clark Dabwang, the candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the March, 18th 2023, governorship election.
The judgement read by Hon. Justice A. Y. Joh, dismissed the petition filed by the NNPP candidate, who alleged the exclusion of his party’s logo.
The tribunal confirmed Governor Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected Governor of Plateau State.
Reacting to the judgement, Governor Mutfwang, described it as a validation of the people’s will in Plateau State and expressed his confidence in the upcoming judgements.
He stated, “We give thanks to God Almighty, the ultimate Judge. We were confident in the outcome of this election, which was clearly in our favor. We commend the Judiciary for upholding the voters’ choice.”
Regarding the judgement’s assertion that the petition was frivolous and unnecessary, the Governor emphasized that democracy allows everyone to voice their concerns, but ultimately, justice prevails.
Mutfwang in a statement signed by his Director of press affairs, Mr Gyang Bere said the ruling has brought joy not only to the PDP but to the entire population of Plateau State and to democracy as a whole.
He noted that the Tribunal had rendered eight judgements, all favoring the PDP and said this has reinforced the party’s victory in the previous elections.
Despite the distractions caused by these cases, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to providing effective governance for the people of Plateau State and praised his team for their dedication.
“We are pleased to be approaching the conclusion of these cases, and while one more Governorship petition remains, we remain hopeful and confident it will also be resolved in our favor. We look forward to closing this chapter and focusing on the task of governance.”
Earlier, the Tribunal had adopted the written submissions of both the respondents and petitioners in the case involving Nentawe Yilwatda of the APC and Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang of the PDP.
A date for the judgement will be communicated to both parties.
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