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  • Nasarawa governorship: Supreme Court reserves judgment 

    Nasarawa governorship: Supreme Court reserves judgment 

    Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved judgment in an appeal challenging the March 2023 governorship election of Nasarawa State that produced Abdullahi Sule as governor.

    Justice Kudirat Kekere-Eku who led the five member panel of justices reserved judgment after taking arguments from lawyers involved in the matter.

    She added that the date for the judgment delivery would be communicated to parties involved.

    The legal battle is between the incumbent governor, Abdullahi Sule of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Emmanuel Ombugadu.

    The PDP through its counsel Kanu Agabi, SAN appealed to the apex court to set aside the November 23, 2023 judgment of the Court of Appeal which upheld Sule as the lawfully elected governor.

    Agabi canvassed that the October 2, 2023 judgment of the Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal granted in favour of PDP and Ombugadu be restored.

    He claimed that the court of appeal unjustly nullified the tribunal’s judgment and unjustly declared Sule as winner of the March 18 gubernatorial election.

    He pleaded that the votes of the Nasarawa people to count and be meaningful by declaring PDP and Ombugadu as winners as rightly done by the Tribunal.

    Meanwhile, APC lawyers, led by Akin Olujinmi SAN while adopting his brief of arguments asked the apex court to carefully looked into the cited authorities to back up their request for dismissal of the case.

    The Appeal Court had on November 2024 reversed the sack of Gov Sule by the State Election Petitions Tribunal in its judgment delivered on October 2.

    The appellate court held that the Tribunal headed by Ezekiel Ajayi acted in grave error in using witness statements on oath, not front-loaded as required by law to arrive at the unjust conclusion of nullifying the election of the governor.

    It held that the Tribunal was legally bound to act on witness statements filed along with the petition or front-loaded within 21 days stipulated by law.

    It also held that no petition can lawfully be amended outside the 21 days can be allowed by law as wrongly done by the Tribunal.

    “Since the statements used by the Tribunal to sack the Governor were not front-loaded in compliance with the law, the statements were a product of illegality with no probate value for a law court to act upon”.

    The court also dismissed the over-voting issues used to annul the election, adding that the allegations were not established by law.

    Onyemenam held that the petition by the governorship candidate of the PDP was a nullity and invalid on the grounds that the jurisdictional issues raised by the governor were unlawfully ignored by the Tribunal.

    He ruled that the Tribunal denied the governor a fair hearing by not considering and making findings on the issues of jurisdiction raised at the hearing of the petition.

    He agreed that the denial of a fair hearing against the governor was fatal and tendered all decisions of the Tribunal invalid.

    In all, the appeal court reversed all orders made against the governor and INEC and affirmed Sule as the lawfully elected governor of the state.

    INEC had declared Sule the winner of the governorship election on the grounds that he polled a total of 347,209 votes to defeat his closest opponent Emmanuel Ombugadu who secured 283,016 votes.

     

  • Anxiety in Rivers as Supreme Court reserves ruling on Gov Fubara’s fate

    Anxiety in Rivers as Supreme Court reserves ruling on Gov Fubara’s fate

    The Supreme Court on Monday reserved judgement in the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Patrick Tonye-Cole, against the victory of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

    A five-member panel headed by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun reserved judgement on the appeal after all parties in the suit adopted their briefs of arguments.

    Tonye-Cole had approached the apex court, insisting that Fubara did not resign as Accountant-General of the State and acted as accountant general exceeding the stipulated time as provided by the Constitution and Electoral Act before the election.

    The APC candidate also argued that Fubara was not qualified to contest or even to be declared winner of the election.

    Recall the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos State had affirmed the election of Fubara as the Governor of Rivers.

    The court dismissed the petition filed by Tonye-Cole, against Fubara, PDP and INEC.

    The APC candidate had requested that the court order INEC to declare him winner of the March governorship election in Rivers.

    But the court held that all the appellants failed to prove the allegation of non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

    The court also faulted the tribunal for dismissing Tonye-Cole’s appeal on the ground that APC sponsored him and had withdrawn the petition against Gov. Fubara’s victory.

    The appellate court further held that the fact that APC withdrew its petition against Fubara’s victory did not prevent its candidate, Tonye-Cole, from pursuing his appeal.

  • Supreme Court reserves judgment in Rivers Governorship election

    Supreme Court reserves judgment in Rivers Governorship election

    The Supreme Court on Monday reserved judgement in the appeal filed by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Patrick Tonye-Cole, against the victory of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara.

    A five-member panel headed by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun reserved judgment on the appeal after all parties in the suit adopted their briefs of arguments.

    Tonye-Cole’s filed the suit following the Appeal Court’s decision of Nov. 28, 2023 which dismissed his appeal for lacking sufficient and convincing evidence.

    The APC governorship candidate’s contention is that of irregularities, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and Fubara’s continued signing of documents as the Rivers State’s Accountant-General after his nomination as the governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    Defedants in the suit are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) the PDP and Fubara.

  • Reactions as Gov Mutfwang dedicates Supreme Court’s victory to God

    Reactions as Gov Mutfwang dedicates Supreme Court’s victory to God

    Gov. Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, has dedicated his victory at the Supreme Court to God and people of the state, who stood by him and defended their mandate.

    This was contained in a statement signed by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr Gyang Bere on Friday, in Jos.

    Mutfwang’s supporters and associates, who had thronged the premises of the Supreme Court, went into wild jubilation as soon as the verdict of the five-member panel was pronounced in favour of the governor.

    Describing the verdict as `a divine act’, Mutfwang expressed gratitude to God for sustaining him through the electoral processes.

    “This judgement is historic and highly significant in the political journey of Plateau State, it is the rebirth of a new Plateau where God has demonstrated his sovereignty as the owner and giver of power.

    “I want to thank their Lordships, who have today restored confidence in the judiciary, they have demonstrated courage, and they have raised the hope of the ordinary man in Nigeria that justice is still available in the nation.

    “I want to thank Mr President for showing himself a true democrat, and not allowing the political space to become intoxicated. He has also shown that as a beneficiary of the People’s votes, he would allow and support the judiciary to perform its role without undue interference.

    “I want to thank the people of Plateau State, who have stood by me. I want to thank Nigerians who stood by us, and I want to thank the International Community that also insisted that the votes of the people must count in Nigeria’s democracy,” he said.

    He reaffirmed his commitment to continually provide purposeful leadership, assuring that they shall not rest on their oars until Plateau became peaceful, united and prosperous.

    “This judgment will indeed motivate me to do more for my people, I will always be grateful to the people of Plateau State for believing in me and entrusting me with their sacred mandate to lead them at this critical time in the history of the state,” Mutfwang added.

    The governor called on all citizens, irrespective of political inclination ,to join him in the quest of building a peaceful, united and prosperous Plateau.

    Commenting on the Appeal Court Judgments that nullified the election of National and State Assembly members elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over issues that were thrown out by the Supreme Court, Mutfwang said they would cross that bridge too.

    “We have just crossed the bridge and when we settle down to savour this victory, we will know what to do,” he stated.

    Supreme Court Judgment affirming Mutfwang’s election, victory for democracy – Jang

    Sen. Jonah Jang, former governor of Plateau, has described the victory of Gov. Caleb Mutfwang at the Supreme Court as victory for democracy.

    Jang, a Chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said this in a statement by his Media Consultant, Clinton Garuba, issued on Friday in Jos.

    The Appeal Court had nullified the election of Mutfwang as governor, citing lack of structure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as reason.

    But the apex court on Friday, set aside the judgment of of the appellate court, insisting that the governor was duly elected during the March 18, 2023 polls

    The former governor commended the Supreme Court justices for upholding the sanctity of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

    “Indeed the governor’s victory at the Supreme Court is a victory for democracy and against the wishes of anti-democratic forces.

    “We recall with sadness how anti-democratic forces tried to manipulate the will of the people

    “We must thank the justices for upholding the rule of law, thereby affirming the long held belief that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.

    “We thank them for not allowing themselves to be manipulated, thereby plunging the state into disarray and setting us years backward; we thank God because the voice of the people is the voice of God,” Jamg said.

    Jang thanked President Bola Tinubu for playing a neutral role, and not interfering in the judicial processes in spite of the pressure from some quarters.

    He also commended the people of the state and the media for keeping faith with the governor in his trying time, and called on then to continue to support the governor to succeed.

    Plateau agog as Supreme Court affirms Mutfwang governor

    Residents of Jos, the capital of Plateau, on Friday took to the streets in their numbers, to celebrate the victory of the Gov. Caleb Mutfwang at the Supreme Court.

    A correspondent, who went round Jos and environs, reports that residents of the state in different locations, were beating drums and singing solidarity songs.

    Some of the locations included the popular Secretariat Junction, Angwa Rukuba, Gyel, Tina Junction, Old Airport junction, Tudun Wada, Zololo Jucntion, Masalacin Jama’a, Kabong, among others areas in Jos South and Jos North local government areas (LGAs), of the state.

    Mr Jospeh Nyam, one of the residents, described the judgment as victory for democracy.

    Nyam added that judgment had further confirmed that Mutfwang was duly elected by the people of the state.

    “We are out here to rejoice over the victory of our governor; Plateau people elected him, and we thank the supreme court for restoring our mandate.

    “The governor is the choice of the people of the state, that’ is why there is celebration in almost every corner of the state,” he said.

    Another resident, Rotgak Jirit, commended the the Supreme Court for the judgment, adding that it had redeemed the image of the judiciary.

    “We thank the Supreme Court for using today’s judgments to redeem the image of the judiciary in our country

    “This celebration will not end today; we will continue to come out and celebrate until our governor returns to the state.

    The Appeal Court had nullified the election of Mutfwang as governor, citing lack of structure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a rationale.

    But the apex court on Friday, set aside the judgement of the appellate court, insisting that the governor  was duly elected during the March 18, 2023 polls.

  • NNPP says Supreme Court judgement is restoration of hope for Kano

    NNPP says Supreme Court judgement is restoration of hope for Kano

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku, has described the Supreme Court judgement affirming the election of Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State as the restoration of hope for the people of the state.

    Olayoku in an interview on Friday in Abuja said the judgement was also a confirmation of victory God gave NNPP on March 18, 2023.

    “The party is just appealing to politicians to try to win election through the ballot boxes and not through the back door.

    “I think the Supreme Court has deflated that and we want the other arms of judiciary to also stand up to the truth,” he said.

    Olayoku, who is also the Deputy National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), said that the judgement did not come to the party as a surprise, because everybody knew that NNPP won the March 18, 2023, governorship election in the state.

    He said there was no way the All Progressives Congress (APC) could have claimed to have won the election in the state where the NNPP won the presidential election, won two out of three Senatorial seats, and 18 out of 24 House of Assembly seats.

    “In the governorship elections, we defeated APC with about 200,000 votes, in the House of Assembly of 40 seats, we have 26. So what will be the yardstick for them to win governorship.

    “We thank God that the Supreme Court have restored the hope of the people,” he said.

    He said that though the governor was never distracted by the petition in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people of the state, with the outcome from the court he was now poised to do more.

    “Now that the court cases have been put behind us, I know the governor is going to be more focused on delivering the dividends of democracy,” he said.

    He assured the people of Kano that Yusuf would continue to implement his master plan and blueprint for the state, while building on the template and achievements set by the NNPP leader, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, who was once the governor of the state.

    “He cannot go below the standard set by Kwankwaso when he was governor.

    “If you look at what he has been doing since when he got there, you will discover that he had been hitting the ground running.

    “We can guarantee the people of Kano state that there is no cause for alarm. He already has his master plan and he is following it without any disruption,” he said.

  • Gov Nwifuru reacts over Supreme Court victory

    Gov Nwifuru reacts over Supreme Court victory

    Gov. Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi has pledged to remain magnanimous in victory and in his resolve to carry everybody along irrespective of party affiliations.

    He, therefore, called on his political opponents to join hands with him in his administration’s drive to build a more virile and prosperous state.

    This is contained in a statement issued by Dr Monday Uzor, his Chief Secretary on Friday in Abakaliki, while reacting to his victory at the Supreme Court, saying that his administration was now more focused on delivering dividends of democracy to the people.

    He added that the judgement of the Supreme Court which upheld his election has made equity, justice and fairness prevail in the state.

    “Today is a historic day in our dear state. It is a day when light overtook darkness. It is a day we are victorious that the Supreme Court judgement that finally upheld the populist mandate freely given to us by you.

    “The judgement which was delivered by the erudite judges has finally nailed the protracted legal battle challenging the sincerity of purpose; the courage of conviction, equity, fairness and justice —the fulcrum that our coming to power hinged.

    “It is a win for all of us who vehemently opposed the mercantilist politics that nearly marred our shared vision as a people; and so, I congratulate you.

    “The People’s Charter of Needs which integrates the urgent needs of our people would have been truncated if not for your fervency in supplications to God Almighty for the judiciary to defend democratic ethos.

    “The judgment calls for not only jubilation but also celebration because it has brought to an end an attempt to truncate the wishes of the people.

    “As we have survived their legal onslaughts, we are now more than conquerors, with a renewed vigour to deliver the mandate you freely gave.

    “We are convinced that never again shall division against our shared norms and common ancestry rear its ugly head,” the governor said.

    He commended the nation’s judiciary for their sincerity and unbiased stance in the dispensation of justice; the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Divine Mandate Campaign Organisation, for galvanising support that led to his victory at the poll.

  • PDP’s Jandor reacts over Sanwo-Olu’s victory at Supreme Court

    PDP’s Jandor reacts over Sanwo-Olu’s victory at Supreme Court

    The  Lagos State PDP 2023 governorship candidate,  Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor) has congratulated Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu over his victory at the Supreme Court on Friday.

    Adediran, in a statement personally addressed to Lagos residents after the apex court dismissed his appeal on Friday, said it was time to cease fire.

    According to him, though he is disappointed by the Supreme Court ruling upholding Sanwo-Olu’s re-election, it is time for him to move forward.

    “I also use this opportunity to congratulate  Sanwo Olu. I wish him a peaceful, development and people-focused tenure,” Adediran said.

    The PDP candidate appreciated the people and the party for the privilege to offer himself to serve as the governor of the state in the 2023 governorship election.

    “We have expressed our reservation on the conduct and the outcome of the election.

    “This,  we did,  by taking advantage of the provisions of the constitution and the electoral law to file petition at the election tribunal through to the Appeal court and finally, the Supreme Court.

    “This is not the outcome we envisaged or worked so hard for.

    “But I am very proud of the values we share and the vision we hold for our dear state. And for the very robust, vast, diverse, people-centered and rural-network campaign that we built and executed together.

    “I know how disappointed you are with the outcomes of the election because I feel it too.

    “The frustration, intimidation, and betrayals but our disappointment must be overcome by our love for our dear state,” Adediran said.

    According to him, since the election is over, and all avenues to seek redress for observed electoral wrongdoing have been exhausted, we need to cease fire.

    “We need to  let the declared winner govern on the basis of his vision for the development of our state.

    “Let the electorate be the judge of their performance.

    “This will not in any way, deter me from continuing to contribute my quota to the development of our dear state and toward achieving the desired economic emancipation and a breath of fresh air in governance for our people.

    “I appreciate you all for your faith and trust in me. I thank our party faithful and all lovers of Lagos PDP for their dedication and hard work during and after the elections.

    “I urge you not to relent in your support for our quest for a greater Lagos .”

    Recall that LP’s Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour and PDP’s Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor) had approached the apex court to challenge Sanwo-Olu’s victory in the election.

    The LP candidate urged the Supreme Court to hold that the March 18 election was marred by irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

    He also added that the Lagos state deputy governor was not qualified to contest the election.

    Similarly, Adediran filed 34 grounds of appeal, asking the apex court to upturn the verdict of the Lagos State governorship election tribunal and the court of appeal.

    Meanwhile, the apex court in a unanimous decision on Friday, upheld Sanwo-Olu as duly elected governor of Lagos state.

    The Court dismissed the appeals of LP’s Rhodes-Vivour and PDP’s Adediran for lacking in merit and a gross abuse of court process.

    The Supreme Court dismissed the two separate appeals that challenged Sanwo-Olu’s return as winner of the governorship election held in the state on March 18.

  • APC welcomes Supreme Court Judgements in 8 States 

    APC welcomes Supreme Court Judgements in 8 States 

    The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accepted the Supreme Court decisions on election petitions challenging the outcome of 2023 governorship elections in eight states.

    The party in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Friday said the appeals on Kano, Zamfara, Bauchi, Plateau and Abia states were decided in favour of other political parties and their candidates.

    The statement reads: In Lagos, Ebonyi and Cross River States, the Supreme Court upheld the election of Governorship Candidates of our great Party. However, the appeals on Kano, Zamfara, Bauchi, Plateau and Abia states were decided in favour of other political parties and their candidates.

     

    “While the Apex Court’s decisions will undoubtedly elicit mixed reactions and reviews, the decisions are final and binding on all parties to the legal contests. The decisions today provide a strong affirmation of the authority, vibrancy and independence of the Judiciary.

    “APC has been consistent in its position that the Judiciary must be left alone to perform its important duty of resolving disputes, including electoral disputes as constitutionally mandated. The decisions today must serve as a rebuke to political opposition figures that vilified and denigrated our courts when judgments were handed against them in these same matters.  Assuming that it has any spec of decency left, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must tender unreserved apology to the courts and our judges for the senseless, irresponsible, reckless and unjustified attacks it mounted against the Judiciary throughout this electoral cycle.

    “We congratulate the winners, particularly our Governors, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Bassey Otu of Cross River State, and wish them the very best as they continue to serve their states and country. We urge everyone to remain calm and continue to maintain the peace”.

     

     

  • Plateau: We accept Supreme Court’s judgment in good faith – APC

    Plateau: We accept Supreme Court’s judgment in good faith – APC

    The Plateau chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it accepts the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed Gov. Caleb Mutfwang as the winner of the March 18, 2023, election in good faith.

    The Apex Court on Friday, reversed the Nov. 19, decision of  the Appeal Court that nullified Mutwang’s election and declared Dr Nentawe Yilwatda as the winner of the election.

    Mr Sylvanus Namang, APC Publicity Secretary in Plateau, told NAN in Jos that the party accepts the verdict in the spirit of sportsmanship.

    Namang said that the contest was no personal but a tussle between two political parties in the interest of Plateau people.

    The publicity secretary called on APC members and supporters to remain law abiding and refrain from any act contrary to the party’s culture.

    He urged them to avoid anything that could jeopardise peace and peaceful coexistence on the Plateau.

    Namang said that APC believes in maintaining decorum and peace at all time, no matter the situation.

    “Our party is a respecter of the rule of law and a strong believer in our judicial system, hence, we take the outcome in good faith,’’ he said.

  • Supreme Court judgment averted crisis in Kano – NNPP

    Supreme Court judgment averted crisis in Kano – NNPP

    The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Lagos State on Friday, lauded the Supreme Court’s ruling reinstating Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano, after loosing at lower courts.

    The Lagos State NNPP Secretary, Mr Sheriff Oladejo, told NAN in Lagos that the apex court had reaffirmed that only electorate determined who ruled over the people.

    Oladejo said: “The Supreme Court has done justices to the governorship election petitions, we give glory to almighty God for this overwhelming and unanimous decision of the highest court in the land.

    “For some of us, we are extremely surprised by the decisions of the two lower courts for the miscarriage of justices but Justice Okoro-led five man panel has done justice to this case.

    “Even, in his ruling, he also scolded the lower courts for what he described as voyage of discovery on the membership of Gov. Abba Yusuf to NNPP; because ordinarily, it is a matter for political parties to determine who their members are.

    “The good people of this country and particularly voters in Kano state knew who they voted for and who deserved to be their governor.”

    The party’s scribe commended the courage and commitment of the judiciary in reinstating Yusuf and averting serious political crisis in  Kano state.

    According to him, the ruling put to rest, all litigations against Yusuf’s mandate and also restore absolute confidence in the state government to provide most needed dividends of democracy to the people.

    “We use this medium to thank all members of NNPP family and the general public for the remaining resolute in claiming our mandate.

    “This will restore our hope and aspirations to do more for the good people of Kano state.

    “This is the time for the opposition political parties to join hands with the governor to move the state forward,” he said.

    The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the election of Yusuf as duly elected governor of Kano state.

    The apex court set aside the verdicts of the Court of Appeal and Kano state Election Petitions Tribunal, which nullified the victory of Yusuf in the March 18, 2023 governorship poll.

    A five-member panel of the apex court in a judgment delivered by Justice John Okoro, held that the tribunal and the court of appeal erred by sacking Yusuf as governor of the state.

    Yusuf and NNPP had filed an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had affirmed his sacking as earlier pronounced by the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

    The tribunal had sacked Yusuf and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw his certificate of return and instead, issue same to Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the candidate of the APC in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

    However, not satisfied with the Tribunal judgment, Yusuf had approached the Appeal Court.

    But the appellate court had while affirming his sack, further held that the governor was not a member of the party as of the time of the election and could not have been said to have been properly sponsored for the election.