The Supreme Court of Nigeria in a historic and marathon sitting in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory has affirmed the elections of Governors Bassey Otu of Cross River (APC), Dr. Alex Otti of Abia State (LP), Dauda Lawal of Zamfara (PDP), Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos (APC), Bala Mohammed of Bauchi (PDP), Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi (APC) and reinstated Governors Caleb Muftwang of Plateau (PDP) and Abba Yusuf of Kano (NNPP).
On Cross River, the Court upheld the election of Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu of APC as duly elected and dismissed the appeal of Senator Sandy Onor of the PDP.
Ruling on Lagos, Justice Garba Lawal, who read the lead judgment, dismissed the appeal and declared Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos as validly elected Governor.
In Zamfara, the Supreme Court affirmed PDP’s Dauda Lawal as duly elected Governor of Zamfara State.
Delivering judgement, Justice Agim said: “The decision of the Court of Appeal has no evidential foundation.
“The judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered in November is set aside. The order setting aside the appellant’s election is set aside. And the election of the Appellant is upheld.”
Ruling on Ebonyi, the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Francis Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the duly elected Governor of Ebonyi State.
Justice Tijani Abubakar, who read the lead judgment, held that “the appeal filed by Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is unmeritorious.”
Ruling on Abia State, the Supreme Court upheld the election of Dr. Alex Otti as the duly elected Governor of the State.
The five-member panel of justices, led by Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the appeal filed by Okey Ahiwe, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deeming it as “lacking in merit”.
The Supreme Court in its wisdom has reversed the removal of Caleb Muftwang of Plateau (PDP) and Abba Yusuf of Kano (NNPP) and affirmed their elections as Governors respectively of their States.
Ruling the Plateau, the Supreme Court reversed the Appellate Court’s verdict and declared PDP’s Caleb Muftwang duly elected Governor of Plateau State.
In Kano, the Supreme Court reversed the sack of Abba Yusuf and affirmed his election as Governor of Kano State.
In his ruling, Justice Okoro stated: “Section 177 (c) of the Constitution only frowns on the independent candidate and nothing more, he says.
“The court below erred in law by investigating the Governor’s membership of the NNPP, Alhaji Abba Yusuf. Judges should be more meticulous.
“There is merit in this appeal. And the appeal is hereby allowed. The appellant won the majority of lawful votes.
“The judgement of the lower Court voiding the election of the Appellant is hereby set aside,” he ruled on both the Plateau and Kano appeals.
