In a series of pivotal rulings on Friday, the Supreme Court solidified its stance as the ultimate arbiter of electoral disputes by upholding the victories of several governors in hotly contested states.
Plateau State: Caleb Mutfwang’s Triumph Reinstated
The apex court upheld the election of Caleb Mutfwang as the duly elected governor of Plateau, granting credence to the appeal filed by Mr. Mutfwang to restore his mandate, which had been challenged at the Court of Appeal. Justice Emmanuel Agim, delivering the judgment, emphasized the merit of the governor’s appeal and set aside the earlier decision that questioned Mutfwang’s party sponsorship.
Earlier in November, the appeal court had unanimously ruled that Mutfwang was not sponsored by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, the Supreme Court’s judgment overturned this, asserting that Nentawe Yilwada of the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not win the 18 March 2023 governorship election. According to INEC results, Mutfwang secured 525,299 votes against Yilwada’s 481,370 votes.
The Plateau Governorship Election Petition Tribunal had previously affirmed Mutfwang’s victory, prompting Mr. Yilwada to file an appeal at the appeal court. The Supreme Court’s decision has cemented Mutfwang’s position as the governor of Plateau State, with the statement emphasizing the finality of the judgment.
Zamfara State: Dauda Lawal’s Victory Upheld
In a similar vein, the Supreme Court upheld the election of Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner of the Zamfara 2023 governorship poll. The five-member panel of justices, led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal that declared the election inconclusive. This ruling establishes Lawal as the validly elected governor, bringing certainty to the political landscape in Zamfara.
Kano State: Governor Abba Yusuf’s Triumph Restored
The apex court also upheld the election of Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Kano State, overturning the judgments of both the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal. Justice John Okoro, the chairman of the panel, reinstated Mr. Yusuf’s 165,616 votes, which had been invalidated by the lower tribunal.
The judgment highlighted the lack of proof regarding the alleged irregularities in certain ballot papers and emphasized that a ballot paper without INEC marks is not invalid. The Supreme Court stated that for a ballot paper to be considered invalid, it must be proven that it was not used in the election.
Bauchi State: Bala Mohammed’s Victory Affirmed
ChatNews TV report that the Supreme Court also affirmed the election of Bala Mohammed of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the Bauchi State governor. Dismissing the appeal by Sadique Abubakar of the All Progressives Congress, the court upheld the decision of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier confirmed Mohammed’s victory in the March 18 governorship election.
The appellate court’s unanimous judgment awarded no costs, and each party was directed to bear their respective costs. Justice Chidi Nwaoma Uwa, the presiding judge, read the judgment, stating that the appellant failed to prove the allegations of improperly filled forms and booklets, leading to the dismissal of the appeal. The Supreme Court’s decisions across these states signify the culmination of a rigorous legal process, ultimately reaffirming the will of the electorate.
