Supreme Court to Decide Fate of Eight States’ Governorship Elections Today

The Supreme Court is set to deliver verdicts on the disputed outcomes of the March 2023 governorship elections in eight states today, Friday, January 12th. The states under scrutiny are Lagos, Kano, Zamfara, Ebonyi, Plateau, Abia, Cross River, and Bauchi.

The legal battles commenced at the election petitions tribunals in the respective states, leading to decisions that dissatisfied parties appealed to the Court of Appeal and, subsequently, to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court represents the final and highest level of appeal for governorship election disputes.

Among the states, Kano and Plateau are poised to attract more public attention, given that the Supreme Court’s rulings will determine whether the governors of these states, previously ousted by lower courts, will retain their positions after today’s proceedings.

In Kano, both the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Abuja had nullified Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). The rulings declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the validly elected governor of Kano State in the March 2023 election. The Supreme Court’s decision will be crucial in determining the leadership of the state.

For Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, the Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal initially affirmed his election victory. However, the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned this decision on November 19, 2023, prompting Governor Mutfwang to file an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the lower court’s ruling.

The outcomes of these cases hold significant implications for the political landscape of these states, with potential shifts in leadership depending on the Supreme Court’s decisions. The verdicts are awaited eagerly, and they will mark the final chapter in the legal battles that ensued from the 2023 governorship elections in these states.

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