Supreme Court affirms electoral victories of Govs Fubara, Agbu, Aliyu in unanimous judgments

In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the electoral victories of Governors Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Kefas Agbu of Taraba State, and Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State.

The apex court, in separate judgments, dismissed various appeals, declaring them lacking in merit.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s victory in Rivers State was affirmed by the Court of Appeal in Lagos on November 28, 2023.

The appeal, filed by Patrick Tonye-Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), contested the election results against Fubara of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, affirming the earlier decision that found it lacking in merit.

In the case of Taraba State, Professor Yahaya Sani of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) filed an appeal challenging the victory of Governor Kefas Agbu in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

Prof. Sani alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act, irregularities, and malpractices.

The appellate court, in agreement with the lower court, dismissed the appeal, citing a lack of merit.

Similarly, the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Ahmad Aliyu as the governor of Sokoto State.

Aliyu, the APC candidate, had been declared the winner with 453,661 votes, defeating Sai’du Umar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 404,632 votes.

Umar, dissatisfied with the outcome, alleged that the governor and his deputy, Idris Gobir, forged the certificates submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The petitioners also claimed electoral fraud during the poll.

However, the tribunal found the petitioners unable to substantiate the six grounds presented in their petition, leading to the dismissal of the case.

The unanimous judgments by the Supreme Court bring legal clarity and finality to these gubernatorial contests, solidifying the electoral mandates of Governors Fubara, Agbu, and Aliyu in their respective states.

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