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Tag: Supreme Court

  • Supreme Court verdict: Kano residents await Gov Yusuf’s ‘triumphant entry’ to govt house

    Supreme Court verdict: Kano residents await Gov Yusuf’s ‘triumphant entry’ to govt house

    Movements along all routes leading to Kano Government House have been restricted by security agents as people await the arrival of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to the State from Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports a panel of Justices of the Supreme Court led by Justice  Inyang Okoro on Friday in Abuja unanimously departed from the concurrent decisions of the two lower courts sacking Yusuf to uphold his victory in the March 2023 governorship election.

    In a unanimous judgement, Okoro said that the court had set aside the decisions of the Court of Appeal on the two prime issues on which it anchored its decision to sack Yusuf as governor.

    The Police had earlier warned against wild celebrations that could lead to loss of lives and property.

    Some residents of Kano lauded the Supreme Court for standing by the truth and not yielding to any influence in deciding the appeal filed by Gov. Abba Yusuf of Kano State.

    A resident of Tarauni, Alhaji Hussaini Abdullahi, said the judgment delivered by the supreme court justices was commendable and a plus for the Nigerian judiciary.

    ”I am very proud of our judiciary as it has demonstrated that it remains the last hope of the common man,” he said.

    Also, Alhaji Musa Ishayaku of Ahmadu Bello way in Kano, said that the supreme court verdict had restored the hope of ordinary Nigerians in the judiciary.

    ”I’ve every reason to thank God and to appreciate our judiciary for standing by the truth and for not yielding to any influence, it shows that we can still be proud of our judiciary in this country,” Ishaku said.

    Another resident, Hajiya Rakiya Musa of Hotoro Quarters said: “The Glory of the victory of this election petition is to God Almighty, I want to thank the legal team that has represented Gov. Yusuf for a job well-done.”

    Mr Musa Abu, a resident of Hadeja road, enjoined the governor to put the legal distractions behind and focus on selfless approach to governance in the interest of every resident of the state, irrespective of party affiliations.

    “My advice to Gov. Yusuf is that this has ended now, let him carry everybody on board to move Kano State to greater heights, let us work together for the upliftment of Kano State.

    ”I don’t doubt his love for the state, he has served the state diligently, let him move on, let us work together and work for this state.”

    Abu also commended the justices of the supreme court for “a sound and faultless” judgment on the Kano state governorship election petition.

    According to Isiyaku Mohammed, another resident, the supreme court has saved the state from violence.

    “If the decision had gone not in favour of Abba, even the security agencies may not be able to contain the situation, but with what you are seeing now, there is relief all over, residents are spontaneously coming out to celebrate and tension and violence have been averted.

    “In markets initially closed in the early hours of the day, like the Rimi and Kantin Kwari markets, people have started opening their shops and places of business,” he said.

  • Reactions trail Supreme Court verdict affirming Yusuf as Kano Gov

    Reactions trail Supreme Court verdict affirming Yusuf as Kano Gov

    Reactions have continued to trail the judgement of the Supreme Court, which affirmed Abba Kabir Yusuf as the bonafide Governor of Kano State.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Supreme Court reinstated Yusuf’s election on Friday, after loosing at the lower courts.

    Reacting, 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, assumed that the Supreme Court judgement for Kano was thus delivered over fear of dire consequences.

    “They’ve affirmed Kano for NNPP not because wanted to but because they dread the consequences,” Sowore stated.

    TNG reports the Supreme Court delivered some landmark judgements today, which have been described as not just face-saving but a redemption of the cliche that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man.

    In all the States where it seemed the ruling party has planned a political heist, the Supreme Court has ruled otherwise.

    There had been tension and fears for the nation not to be thrown into a crisis situation, especially in Kano State.

    Supreme Court judgement 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, said 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 Joint Action for Good Governance (JAGG) and a Chieftain of  New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have applauded the  Supreme Court’s ruling reinstating Governor Yusuf of Kano.

    In separate interviews on Friday, the advocacy group and the NNPP stalwart said the reinstatement of the lone NNPP governor in the federation had further added to the credibility of the nation’s apex court.

    The National Vice President of JAGG, Mr Abdulwaheed Odunuga told NAN that the ruling of the Supreme Court was a relief to many stakeholders in the nation.

    “I am thrilled and relieved by the recent decision of the Supreme Court to reverse the sack of  Yusuf by lower courts, and affirm his election as Kano governor.

    “This judgment has not only reinstated the victory of  Yusuf but has also vindicated the integrity of the electoral process.

    “It is noteworthy that the court emphasised that the lower courts were wrong in deducting votes based on technicalities related to the signing and stamping of ballot papers.

    “This ruling reinforces the principle that substantial compliance with electoral laws should be prioritised over minor procedural irregularities,” Odunuga said.

    According to him, as someone who has been actively involved in the NNPP and contested for the Federal House of Representatives in Kosofe, the verdict brings a sense of encouragement and optimism for the democratic process.

    He added: “It reaffirms our belief in the rule of law and the capacity of the judiciary to correct perceived errors in electoral disputes.

    “I commend the Supreme Court for its thorough and unbiased approach in delivering justice. It is my hope that this judgment will contribute to strengthening our electoral system and inspire confidence in the minds of the electorate.

    “As we celebrate this victory, let us continue to uphold the principles of democracy and work toward a more transparent and accountable political environment.”

    In his reaction,  Mr Adekunle Aderibigbe,  NNPP chieftain in Lagos state said the decision of the Supreme Court had again, boosted the morale and confidence of the people of Nigeria in the  justice system.

    Aderibigbe said: It is heartening to see the Supreme Court uphold the democratic process by carefully reviewing and rectifying what appeared to be an erroneous decision by the Court of Appeal.

    “The judicial system plays a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of elections, and the apex court’s determination to restore the deducted votes and reaffirm Yusuf’s victory reflects a commitment to fairness and justice.

    “This meticulous scrutiny ensures that electoral outcomes are determined based on accurate legal principles and not arbitrary decisions.”

    According to him, the Supreme Court’s rejection of the Court of Appeal’s ruling regarding Yusuf’s party membership was a significant point.

    He said the apex court rightly asserted that matters related to nomination and sponsorship are pre-election issues and fall outside its jurisdiction.

    “This reaffirmation underscores the importance of adhering to legal procedures and recognising the delineation between pre-election and post-election matters,” 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 Okor, 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.

  • Supreme Court affirms Otti as Abia governor

    Supreme Court affirms Otti as Abia governor

    The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the election of Alex Otti as duly elected governor of Abia.

    Justice Uwani Abba-Aji while delivering the judgment dismissed the appeal against the victory of Otti.

    She held that the appeal by the PDP lacked merit.

    NAN reports that the appeals were lodged against Otti, who won his election on the platform of the Labour Party, LP, by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Okey Ahiwe, and his counterpart in the All Progressives Congress, APC, Chief Ikechi Emenike.

    It will be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, declared that Otti polled 175,466 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ahiwe of the PDP, who scored 88,529 votes in the gubernatorial poll that was held on March 18, 2023.

    Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, both Ahiwe and Emenike of the APC, who came in third, separately challenged it.

    However, in a judgement delivered on October 6, 2023, the Abia State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed the petitions and upheld Otti’s election victory.

    The verdict of the tribunal was affirmed by the Court of Appeal in Lagos, which also dismissed appeals that were entered against Otti by both the PDP and APC candidates.

  • What Governor Sanwo-Olu said after Supreme Court victory

    What Governor Sanwo-Olu said after Supreme Court victory

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has said the Supreme Court judgement affirming his administration’s  victory, is not just for himself and Deputy Gov. Obafemi Hamzat; but for democracy.

    Reacting to the Supreme Court’s verdict on the March 18, 2023 Governorship Election in the State, Sanwo-Olu said on Friday that the victory was for the rule of law, and the entire people of Lagos State.

    The Supreme Court on Friday affirmed the earlier verdict of the Appeal Court that Sanwo-Olu is the ‘duly elected governor of Lagos state’.

    Justice Garba Lawal, who read the lead judgement, dismissed the appeal filed by the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who came second in the election.

    “With a deep sense of gratitude to the Almighty, I welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court, which today revalidated the position of  people of Lagos  who freely cast their ballots  for us.

    “The victory is not just for my deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; it is for the rule of law, our democracy and the entire people of Lagos state.

    ”Like I said in my acceptance speech after the results of the election were declared, there was no victor or vanquished,” he said.

    According to him, the approach of his administration to governance since May 29, 2019 is a clear example of inclusive governance, which the government believes in and stands by.

    “I, therefore, invite those who are still standing on the fence to show their love for our dear state  by joining the train of progressive governance.

    “We do not profess a monopoly of ideas,” the governor said.

    He said that Friday’s judicial pronouncement, like those of the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Lagos, had buoyed confidence in the country’s judicial system, hence, would not be taken for granted.

    Sanwo-Olu commended the Supreme Court  judges for the well-thought-out and detailed judgement, as they explained the reasons that led them to their conclusions.

    He also thanked  the Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal judges for their firm commitment to the principle of fairness and justice.

    Sanwo-Olu commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opportunity to fly its flag  and the party leaders and members for working tirelessly to ensure the party’s victory at the polls.

    “I want to specially commend President Bola Tinubu, for deepening the country’s democracy.

    “My deputy and I feel very privileged to have been elected to serve at this auspicious moment in the history of our state. We thank all residents  for standing by us  through this journey.

    “Let me reiterate that this judicial victory will spur our government to continue on the trajectory of progress that we started in 2019, which has resulted in many achievements across many areas of lives.

    “For us, our aim in governance is about service and ensuring that we are not distracted from all the promises we made to our people.

    “The judgment will now allow us to accelerate our interventions to ensure that we continue to deliver more dividends of democracy to residents – in line with our THEMES+ developmental agenda.

    “The ruling of the Supreme Court has ended the judicial process on the governorship election,” he said.

    Recall Rhodes-Vivour, the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Dr Abdulazeez Adediran, had approached the apex court to challenge Sanwo-Olu’s victory in the election.

    The LP 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.

    Supreme Court verdict: IPAC urges Rhodes-Vivour, Jandor to congratulate Sanwo-Olu

    Meanwhile, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Lagos State, has urged candidates of Labour Party and PDP in the  state’s 2023 Governorship  Election  to congratulate Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    LP’s Gbadebo Rhode-Viviour and PDP’s Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (Jandor) had approached the Supreme Court to seek for Sanwo-Olu’s sack.

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

    Reacting, Mr Olusegun Mobolaji, the IPAC Chairman in Lagos state told NAN that since the apex court had spoken,  both Adediran and Rhode-Viviour should rejoice with Sanwo-Olu and congratulate him, while waiting for another election.

    “If the apex court has given Sanwo-Olu the victory as deserved winner, let us rejoice and celebrate with him by congratulating the governor,” the IPAC boss said.

    He urged all election stakeholders and institutions,  including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) security and judiciary to work together to make Nigeria’s democracy better.

    Mobolaji said that though the current political and judicial system were not perfect, Nigerians must support the system for it to work for the betterment of the nation.

    “The system that we have either way, we have to support it and make sure things work. There may be lapses but we must not start antagonising and condemning our own system.

    “We should try to make the system that we have better by working on it,” he said.

    The IPAC boss urged the candidates of the Labour Party and PDP to go back to the drawing board and prepare for the 2027 contest.

    He said that all political parties that would make substantial influence in 2027 general elections in the state should prepare well for the forthcoming local government area  elections in the state.

    “If the governor’s challengers feel that they  can do better than him, let them prove it and start it from the forthcoming grassroots election.

    “This time around, election is being determined more by the electorate rather than any other factor. We are getting more and more to that ideal,” he said.

    Advising the governor to be magnanimous in victory by running an all inclusive governance, Mobolaji said that no public office is forever, hence the need to be kind to the people to have an enduring legacy.

    “Sanwo-Olu is running his second and final term by the time he completes this, he will come down to the people. So, the governor must be conscious of this and prepare for it,” he said.

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court rescues sacked Plateau gov, Caleb Mutfwang

    BREAKING: Supreme Court rescues sacked Plateau gov, Caleb Mutfwang

    The Supreme Court has rescued Caleb Mutfwang, reversing his sack as Governor of Plateau State in its judgment.

    Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) scored 525,299 votes to beat the All Progressives Congress candidate, Nentawe Yilwatda, who garnered 481,370 votes during the 18 March governorship poll in Plateau State.

    The governor’s election was upheld by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos, the state capital.

    However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja, in its judgement delivered on 19 November 2023, overturned Mr Mutfwang’s victory, prompting him to file an appeal at the Supreme Court to challenge the lower court’s decision.

    Details to follow…

  • Supreme Court upholds election of Francis Nwifuru as Ebonyi governor

    Supreme Court upholds election of Francis Nwifuru as Ebonyi governor

    The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the election of Francis Nwifuru as the governor of Ebonyi.

    Justice Tijjani Abubakar who delivered the judgment, dismissed the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and it’s candidate, Chukwuma Odii.

    Justice Abubakar described the appeal as lacking in merit

    The Court of Appeal in Lagos had earlier affirmed the election of  Nwifuru as the duly elected governor of Ebonyi .

    In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel led by Justice Jummai Sankey dismissed the appeal filed by Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party.

    The panel also resolved all five issues raised against the appellant and dismissed the appeal for lacking merit.

    Justice Sankey held that the PDP and its candidates lacked the legal right to meddle in the internal affairs of the All Progressives Congress as it relates to the nomination of candidates.

  • BREAKING: Zamfara guber not inconclusive, Supreme Court declares Lawal winner

    BREAKING: Zamfara guber not inconclusive, Supreme Court declares Lawal winner

    The Supreme Court of Nigeria has declared the 2023 governorship election held in Zamfara State was not inconclusive.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the apex court on Friday also declared Dauda Lawal of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the election.

    A five-member panel of justices in a judgement read by Justice Emmanuel Agim, set aside the judgement of the Court of Appeal.

    The Appeal Court had ruled that the governorship election was inconclusive.

    The Supreme Court described the judgement of the appellate court as “perverse”, and ruled in favour of the appeal filed by Lawal and his party.

    Recall that in March 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Lawal as the winner of the Zamfara governorship election with 377,726 votes.

    However, Bello Matawalle, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 311,976 votes, challenged the outcome of the poll.

    Matawalle, now Minister of State for Defence, had accused INEC of subverting his victory at the poll by failing to include the results of some wards.

    In September 2023, the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal held that the petition was devoid of merit and a N500,000 fine was awarded against the petitioners.

    In November 2023, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja declared the Zamfara governorship election inconclusive.

    The three-member panel of the appellate court unanimously annulled the victory of Lawal and ordered INEC to hold a fresh election in three LGAs.

    The local governments are Maradun, Birnin-Magaji and Bukyun.

    However, the apex court in the land has died the fresh election for the three LGAs.

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court affirms Yusuf as Kano governor

    BREAKING: Supreme Court affirms Yusuf as Kano governor

    The Supreme court has reversed the sack of Abba Yusuf as Kano Governor.

    Justice John Okoro, who read the lead Judgement said the Court of Appeal was wrong in affirming the decision of the tribunal, which held that Yusuf did not win the majority of lawful votes cast at the Governorship Election.

    In determining the case, the apex court raised two issues: weather the lower court was right in deducting the 165,616 votes of the governor.

    Justice Okoro held that the tribunal was wrong in deducting the votes accured to the Governor.

    Details later…

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court affirms Bala Mohammed as Bauchi Governor

    BREAKING: Supreme Court affirms Bala Mohammed as Bauchi Governor

    Bala Muhammed has been affirmed by supreme court as the elected the governor of Bauchi State.

    The apex court dismisses the appeal by Sadique Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the appeal lacks merit.

    Details later…

     

  • BREAKING: Supreme Court affirms Sanwo-Olu as Lagos governor

    BREAKING: Supreme Court affirms Sanwo-Olu as Lagos governor

    Babajide Sonwo-Olu has been  affirmed by supreme court as the elected governor of Lagos State.

    The judgement of the Court of Appeal Lagos, dismissed the appeal of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party for lacking in merit.

    Details later…