By: Valentine Adese (JP),
The Appeal No: CA/J/EP/PL/GOV/52/2023, filed by Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his party, challenging the Judgment of the Tribunal that dismissed their Petition challenging the victory of Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Esq) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over the 18th March, 2023 governorship election in Plateau State was heard yesterday, Saturday, 11th November, 2023.
During the hearing, the Counsel to the Respondents Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), submitted that the issue of Nomination and Sponsorship by a political party is strictly an internal affair of the political party, citing several authorities in support.
He urged the Court to dismiss the Appeal for lack of merit as the Lower Tribunal had no jurisdiction to inquire into the issue of Sponsorship or Nomination.
Adding that, “This is in tandem with the decision of the Supreme Court”.
While responding, Counsel to the Appellants, Prof Ayode Olakotun (SAN) argued that the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 18th, March, 2023 Governorship election in Plateau State was not nominated by a political party and that the Nigerian Constitution nor the 2022 Electoral Act do not give room for Independent Candidacy in the electoral process.
The Counsel the Appellants, told the Court that PDP does not have a chapter in Plateau State and hence cannot Sponsor any candidate for any election.
He also submitted that the PDP had defied several Court Orders including that of the Court of Appeal in this regard and as such, the Court should declare the election of the PDP Governorship candidate invalid and declare the candidate that came second, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda and the APC with the highest number of votes as the winner of the 18th March, 2023, election in Plateau State.
After hearing all the briefs, the presiding judge, Justice Henrietta Daudu Williams has reserved judgment to a later date that will be communicated to all parties.
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