LEGAL TRIUMPH: SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS ELECTION VICTORIES OF 10 GOVERNORS

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No fewer than 13 governorship appeals have been heard so far by the Supreme Court, out of which a total of 10 have been resolved.

The fate of the 10 state governors that have been decided are Hyacinth Alia of Benue; Alex Otti of Abia, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara; Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos, and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi.

Others are Cross River governor, Bassey Otu; Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru; Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuff; Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno, and Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang.

The fate of Adamawa State Governor Ahamadu Fintiri has not been decided, as the All Progressives Congress and its candidate, Aishatu Dahiru, await the hearing of their appeal challenging his victory.

On the other hand, the Social Democratic Party and its candidate, Umar Ardo, have had their appeal against Fintiri’s election dismissed.

Also, the appeal by the PDP and its candidate in Ogun, Laidi Adebutu against Governor Dapo Abiodun has been heard, judgment has, however, yet to be pronounced

The same thing applies to the appeals by Ken Pella of the Labour Party and Ovie Omo-Agege of the APC challenging the victory of Sheriff Oborevwori as the governor of Delta State.

In all the decided cases so far, no governor has been removed from office.

The Independent National Electoral Commission conducted governorship elections on March 18, 2023, in 28 states.

According to the President, Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, governorship candidates in Kwara, Niger, Yobe and Katsina States did not challenge the outcome of the election in court.

This means the fate of 14 more governors will be decided at the apex court which decision is final.

Appeals from Rivers, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Sokoto, Enugu, Gombe, Kebbi and Taraba States among others have not been heard by the Supreme Court.