Politics
Supreme Court to deliver verdict on seven gov appeals today
The Supreme Court is set to deliberate on governorship tussles in seven states today. The states under scrutiny are Kano, Plateau, Lagos, Zamfara, Bauchi, Cross River, and Ebonyi.
In Kano, the appeal involves Governor Abba Yusuf challenging the Court of Appeal’s decision nullifying his victory.
The key issue centers around contradictions in the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment.
While the appellate court upheld Yusuf’s election, it also awarded him one million naira in damages due to a clerical error.
The court clarified that this error did not invalidate the main decision, emphasizing that Yusuf wasn’t a registered member of the NNPP, rendering him ineligible for the election.
Kano State Police Commissioner, Muhammadu Usaini Gumel, assured adequate security measures, stating, “We have mobilized sufficient armed personnel to provide security at all flashpoints.”
In Plateau State, Governor Caleb Mutfwang contests the fairness of the Court of Appeal’s decision arguing that only one issue out of the seven raised was determined by the court, against the rules.
The Court of Appeal had nullified Mutfwang’s election, stating that he was not validly sponsored by the PDP, as mandated by Section 285(2) of the Nigerian Constitution.
In Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal challenges the verdict of the Court of Appeal nullifying their victory and ordering a rerun in three local government areas.
The appellate court faulted INEC’s use of IREV for result collation, stating it was not a result collation system but for public viewing.
The panel upheld four out of seven issues, leading to the voiding of over 98,000 votes in the LGAs.
The Lagos State appeals were filed by the Labour Party (LP) and the PDP, challenging the victory of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
LP argues that the election was marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, emphasizing that Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat was not qualified.
PDP seeks to upturn the verdict of the Lagos State Governorship Election Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
The Lagos State Police Command increased security to prevent any law and order breakdown ahead of the Supreme Court judgment.
Police Commissioner Adegoke Fayoade ordered additional deployments and heightened visibility in key areas known for crime.
While Cross River’s appeal involves PDP’s candidate challenging Governor Bassey Otu. The appeal filed by PDP’s governorship candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, challenges the election of Otu.
Onor alleges that Otu provided a forged certificate and was not validly nominated, which should disqualify him from the election. The appeal contends that the governor’s disqualification is necessary due to irregularities.
The appeal from Bauchi State was filed by the APC governorship candidate, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal.
Abubakar contends that the election was marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal, stating the allegations were not proved in court.
In Ebonyi separate appeals challenge the election of Francis Nwifuru of the APC as governor of Ebonyi.
The appellate court dismissed the appeals for failing to prove allegations of irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.
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