Supreme Court: Governors of Kano, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Zamfara Wins. By Chris Mark

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed, the Elections of Governor, Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Bala Mohammed of Bauch State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State and Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, has dully elected governors in their various states.

The Apex Court, in various judgement passed on Friday, The New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) has retained its hold as the ruling party in Kano State as the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Yusuf, who contested under the NNPP was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) but the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenged his victory in court.

In another of it’s judgement Sadique Abubakar, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had filed an appeal after the election petition tribunal judgment upheld Governor Mohammed’s election.

One of the appellant’s pleas was that the election should be nullified, alleging that the forms and booklets used in the election were not properly filled.

However, the appeal court ruled that the appellant failed to prove this allegation with the necessary evidence.

Also the election of Francis Nwifuru as the Governor of Ebonyi State was also affirmed

Justice Tijani Abubakar, who read the lead judgment held that the appeal filed by Chukwuma Odii of the PDP is unmeritorious.

The lead judgment read by Justice Tijani held that Odii and the PDP failed to prove allegations of non-qualification to contest the election and non-compliance with Electoral Act, 2022 in the election.

Dauda Lawal, the Zamfara State governor was equally affirmed, as the duly elected Governor of Zamfara state.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead judgment, criticized the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision, describing it as “perverse.”

Justice Agim emphasized that the allegations of over-voting failed to stand as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not provide essential documents such as the voter register, polling unit officer report, and eyewitness testimony.

The judge highlighted that BVAS machines alone could not establish electoral malpractices, and the petitioner, Mr Matawalle, did not provide sufficient evidence to support his claims.

“The court is of the view that the tribunal was right. The judgment of the Court of Appeal was perverse because the petitioner failed woefully to prove his allegations,” declared Justice Agim.