Just In: Supreme Court Issues Judgments in Key Cases Across Kano, Plateau, Lagos, And Four Other States Today

The Supreme Court is scheduled to announce rulings on governorship appeals from seven states today, including Kano, Plateau, Lagos, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Bauchi, and Cross River. Of these states, the cases from Kano and Plateau have generated the most controversy….CONTINUE READING

Kano: In Kano, the dispute involves Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Following the nullification of Governor Yusuf’s victory in the March 18 governorship election by a five-member panel led by Justice John Okoro in September, Nasiru Gawuna was affirmed as the duly elected governor of Kano. Despite the Court of Appeal upholding this verdict on November 13, Governor Yusuf sought redress at the Supreme Court.

Plateau: On January 9, 2024, the Supreme Court reserved judgment on the appeal filed by Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, challenging the nullification of his election by the Court of Appeal.

Governor Mutfwang, represented by counsel Kanu Agabi, urged the court to uphold the Tribunal’s judgment and set aside the appellate court’s decision, emphasizing that the respondents had no authority to question how a party elects its state executives. Despite the Appeal Court sacking Mutfwang and instructing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Nentawe Goshwe, the governor pursued redress at the apex court.

Zamfara: Last November, the Appeal Court nullified the election of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal. Lawal, representing the main opposition PDP, had been declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election, unseating incumbent Bello Matawalle of the APC. Despite the Election Petitions Tribunal upholding Lawal’s victory in September, Matawalle appealed the decision, leading to the Appeal Court’s ruling. However, Justice Oyebisi Folayemi’s three-member panel recently nullified Lawal’s return, ordering a fresh election in three local government areas where polls were not held or results were not counted. Governor Lawal has sought redress at the Supreme Court.

Bauchi: In November, the appellate court affirmed the victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State in the March 18 governorship election. The APC governorship candidate, Sadique Abubakar, filed an appeal after the tribunal upheld Mohammed’s victory. The court unanimously ruled in favor of Governor Mohammed, with no costs awarded, dismissing the appellant’s claims that the election should be nullified due to improperly filled forms and booklets. The parties involved are expected to bear their costs.

Lagos: The Appeal Court in Lagos affirmed the tribunal’s judgment in November, confirming the election of Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos state.

The court dismissed the appeal of the PDP and LP for lack of merit. Despite Sanwo-Olu’s victory declaration by INEC in March, the LP and PDP candidates sought to nullify the results. The tribunal’s dismissal of their suit in September prompted an appeal to the appellate court, which upheld the previous verdict. Dissatisfied, the LP and PDP candidates have now approached the Supreme Court, expecting a judgment on Friday.