NGWUTA JCA (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This is an appeal against the ruling on a preliminary objection to the competence of petition No. RB/GEPT/17/2007 delivered on 20 August 2007, by the Governorship C and Legislative Houses Election Tribunal sitting at Jos, Plateau State. Election to the office of Governor of Plateau State was held on 14 April 2007. The second petitioner herein, a candidate at the said election, was sponsored by the first petitioner, a political party registered by the 3rd respondent, the INEC.
The 1st respondent, also a candidate at the election, was sponsored by the 2nd respondent, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, another political party registered by the 3rd respondent. The 4th respondent was an agent of the 3rd respondent. The 5th to the 10th respondents are other political parties registered by the 3rd respondent and each sponsored a candidate at the E election.
On 16 April 2007, the 4th respondent, as the agent of the 3rd respondent, declared and returned…