• Upholds elections of Abiodun, Sani, Sule, Yahaya, Idris, Oborevwori
• PDP supporters protest court’s verdict in Lafia
• Respect court’s decision, Sule tells Nasarawa people
• Our victory impetus to do more, says Abiodun
• APC: We must continue to submit to dictates of rule of law
Hopes by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of regaining gubernatorial power in Ogun, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Kebbi and Gombe states ended up in tatters yesterday after the Supreme Court dismissed claims by the party’s candidates of winning last March’s election in those states.
A similar appeal by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in respect of Delta State was also thrown out by the apex court.
It upheld the election of Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Nasir Idris (Kebbi) and Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta)
But the decision of the court did not go down well with some PDP supporters in Nasarawa State, who took to the streets in the capital, Lafia,burning tyres.
The Supreme Court, in deciding the 14 appeals filed in relation to the governorship election disputes in the six states, held that the appellants failed to establish their claims.
Two appeals were filed in relation to Ogun State. The first, marked SC/CV/1221/2023 instituted by the candidate of the PDP, Oladipupo Adebutu and the second, a cross appeal, marked SC/CV/1222/2023 filed by Governor Abiodun
Three appeals were filed against Oborevwori. The first was by the candidate of the APC, Ovie Omo-Agege marked: SC/CV/1203/2023; second by Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), marked: SC/CV/1202/2023, third by Kennedy Pela of the Labour Party (LP), marked: SC/CV/ 1204/2023.
Four appeals were filed in respect of Nasarawa by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Emmanuel David Ombugadu.
The appeals were marked: SC/CV/1213/2023; SC/CV/1214/2023; SC/CV/1215/2023, and SC/CV/1216/2023.
For Gombe, one appeal, marked: SC/CV/1226/2023 was filed by the candidate of the PDP, Jibrin Mahammed Barde.
In relation to Kebbi State, three appeals were filed. The first, marked SC/CV/1228/2023 by the candidate of the PDP, Bande Aminu, the second, marked SC/CV/1228A/2023 by Governor Idris and the third, marked SC/CV/1228B/2023 filed by the Deputy Governor, Abubakar Umar Argungu.
For Kaduna, one was filed by the candidate of the PDP, Mohammed Ashiru Isa, marked SC/CV/1240/2023.
Justice Tijjani Abubakar authored and read the lead judgment on the appeal by Adebutu.
Justice Abubakar first upheld the notice of preliminary objection filed by INEC and struck out issue four formulated by the appellants – Adebutu and the PDP – on the grounds that it was incompetent.
The judge said, having analysed the other issues raised by the appellants, their supporting arguments, he found that there was nothing substantial to sustain the appeal.
Justice Abubakar held that Adebutu and his party failed to prove their case.
He resolved all the issues raised for determination against the appellants, held that the appeal was unmeritorious and proceeded to dismiss it.
Justice Abubakar affirmed the majority decision of the Court of Appeal, delivered on November 24, 2023, which upheld Abiodun’s election.
He said, as agreed by lawyers to parties, the judgment in the appeal by Adebutu shall apply to the cross appeal by Abiodun.
Justice John Okoro, who read the lead judgment on the appeal by Omo-Agege and his party, held that the appellants were unable to prove that the election was invalid by non-compliance.
Justice Okoro found that even if the over 300 ballots disputed by the appellants were deducted from the majority votes scored by Oborevwori, the margin of deference would not be substantially affected.
Justice Okoro held that the appellants failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on them by the law.
He proceeded to dismiss the appeal and upheld the concurrent judgments of the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
On the appeal by Gbagi, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba held that the SDP flag bearer and his party failed to prove their claim that the election was conducted without substantial compliance with the relevant laws and that Oborevwori was not qualified to contest the last governorship election in Delta State.
Justice Garba resolved all the issues raised for determination against the appellants and held that the appeal was without merit.
On the appeal by Pela, Justice Uwani Abba-Aji wondered why the appellants who scored only 48,047 votes wanted the court to disqualify all the other candidates in the election for them to be declared the winner.
Justice Abba-Aji resolved all the six issues identified for determination against the appellants and declared the appeal as unmeritorious.
She held that the appellants failed to prove their case as required and proceeded to dismiss it for lacking in merit
On the appeals by Ombugadu and the PDP, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who read the lead judgment found that the appellants failed to establish their claims with credible evidence.
Justice Kekere-Ekun said the decision of the Court of Appeal, affirming Sule’s election, was unassailable and could not be faulted.
She held that the appeals lacked merit and proceeded to dismiss them.
It was only one of the appeals that the court heard. It said its ruling on that one applied to the ones not heard.
In upholding the Gombe Governor’s election, Justice Kekere-Ekun, in the lead judgment, declared that the appellants failed to show that the concurrent findings of the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal were perverse.
She further held that there was no merit in the appeal by Barde and dismissed it.
Justice Abba-Aji, in her lead judgment on the Kebbi case, dismissed the appeal by Bande Aminu, who was the candidate of the PDP in the last governorship election in the state.
She found the appellants failed to prove their case and proceeded to hold that the appeal was without merit.
Justice Abubakar, who authored and read the lead judgment in the Kaduna PDP appeal, held that the appeal by the party and its candidate was without merit.
The judge found that the appellants, as petitioners before the election tribunal, failed to comply with the provision of Paragraph 18(1) and (3) of the First Schedule to the Electoral Act 2022 in relation to the filing of pre-hearing notice at the tribunal.
This, the court said, made the tribunal to hold that their petition was abandoned.
Final seal on the people’s mandate, says Sani
Governor Sani called his victory “A final seal on the people’s mandate.”
Taking to his X account @ubasanius,the governor said: “The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision today put a final seal on the mandate freely given to me by the good people of Kaduna State.
“ I commend the Honourable Justices of the Supreme Court for their sound judgement. I thank my dear brother, Hon. Isa Ashiru for embracing the legal process and ventilating his grievances. “That is the democratic way and must be emulated by all persons and groups who are truly committed to the growth and development of Nigeria’s democracy.
“With the legal disputations over, it is time for us to join hands to take Kaduna State to a higher level. We are running a people-centered, inclusive and pro-development administration. Our doors are open to all stakeholders in the Kaduna Project.
“Any citizen of Kaduna State who has something to contribute will be given an opportunity. It is about the glory of Kaduna State, not personal glory.
“ Today’s verdict by the Supreme Court is a reminder to all of us that we were given a mandate to better the lots of our people.
“ Rather than engage in wild celebrations, we must reflect on the challenges ahead and collectively apply ourselves to the tasks at hand.
“With abiding faith in the Almighty God, we shall deliver on the SUSTAIN Agenda and make Kaduna State a model of development in Nigeria.”
Judgment is affirmation of Sani’s popularity – Speaker Abbas
House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen described the Supreme Court verdict in respect of Sani as an affirmation of the governor’s popularity across the state.
Abbas said he has always known that Governor Sani’s popularity in Kaduna and the massive support given to him at the polls were organic and borne out of genuine love for him.
He hoped that Sani would now focus more on good governance of the state.
The Speaker Abbas wished Governor Sani a successful tenure and urged the people of Kaduna to continue to support and pray for his administration.
Abiodun dedicates victory to Ogun people
Governor Abiodun in his first reaction to his victory dedicated it to the ‘incredible people’ of the state.
“I am profoundly grateful to the incredible people of Ogun State, our extraordinary political party, the All Progressives Congress, @OfficialAPCNg, and its dedicated members, as well as other prominent individuals who have supported us unwaveringly,” he said on his X account.
“We have navigated through numerous stages of the election petition tribunal with success, culminating in the Supreme Court’s ultimate validation of our triumph.
“This confirmation provides undeniable evidence that the citizens of Ogun State bestowed this mandate upon us, entrusting us with the responsibility of creating a more prosperous and harmonious society for all. We embrace this weighty duty and vow to fulfil it diligently.”
And speaking to journalists at the Gateway International Airport, Iperu-Remo, on his arrival from Abuja yesterday, Abiodun promised that his administration would now keep its eyes on further development of the state, following the Supreme Court victory.
The governor said that all attempts to distract his administration have failed, noting that the Supreme Court victory marked an end to court shopping by his political adversaries.
He asked the PDP governorship candidate Ladi Adebutu, and other political adversaries to get ready for their re-run in 2027.
“We hope our opponents who have been making a lot of noise about a re-run can prepare for a re-run in 2027,” he said.
“Now, this victory marks an end to this court shopping for adversaries and for us. It is the final victory in this journey that started in 2018.
“We will now keep our eyes further focused on the ball. All attempts to distract us have failed,” he said.
Governor Abiodun also promised that his administration would now focus more on sustaining its legacies, adding that the people of the state would now begin to experience the good programmes his administration has for them.
“We will now focus on sustaining our legacies, the foundation of which we laid since we assumed office in 2019 and in the coming weeks, you will see some of the goodies that we will be unveiling for the good people of the state,” he said.
Prince Abiodun expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting his political journey, his team of lawyers, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun, national and state chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdulahi Umar Ganduje and Chief Yemi Sanusi for their support.
Governor Abiodun also praised the five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro, the Ogun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court, for affirming the choice of the people of the state.
“Today, the Supreme Court has affirmed our victory, which was earlier affirmed by the Tribunal and then the Appeal Court, but our adversaries were not satisfied. They proceeded to the Supreme Court and yet again the five-man panel led by the Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro affirmed the wishes of the generality of the Ogun State people.
“We thank them because once again, they’ve demonstrated that they are the hope and the last one of the common man.
“We want to appreciate the tribunal who laid the foundation for today’s victory. The Appeal Court further built on that foundation and all the judges of both court and, of course, now the Supreme Court led by Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro,” he said.
Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi ascribed the victory to God
He said that while the governor placed his trust in God, the opposition put theirs in money.
House of Representatives member for Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Hon. Gboyega Isiaka noted that the victory has finally put an end to the belief of the opposition that they could unseat the incumbent, adding that the developmental strides of Governor Abiodun is certain to continue till 2027.
State Chairman of the APC, Chief Yemi Sanusi, commended the Supreme Court for ensuring that the verdict of the people was not taken away by money mongers.
Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade thanked God for the victory and the truth that was made known at the Supreme Court.
Mr. Akinmade said that money was put to shame, while those who placed their trust in God earned a well-deserved victory.
Ogun APC lauds Supreme Court verdict, congratulates Abiodun
The APC in Ogun State described Abiodun’s win as a long awaited judgment.
Mr Tunde Oladunjoye, the State APC Publicity Secretary, in a statement in Abeokuta noted that the judgment served the course of justice.
He quoted the party Chairman, Yemi Sanusi , as congratulating the governor and his Deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele on the landmark judgment by the apex court.
“We salute the incorruptible and courageous justices of the Supreme Court for upholding the concurrent verdicts of the lower courts. They have shown that truly, justice lies with the judiciary.
“We also want to congratulate our gentleman and hardworking governor and his deputy, on this sweet landmark judgment. It has been long in coming but well-deserved.
“Now that the matter has been finally laid to rest, we urge our amiable governor and his team to increase the tempo of their transformational governance in our dear state.
“And we again, for the umpteenth time, urge the losers to purge themselves of their illusions and join hands with Abiodun to take our dear state to greater heights.
” They should stop the politics of bitterness and offer constructive criticisms and ideas on how to make our state a better place for all.
“We also wish to congratulate the good people of Ogun for their steadfastness and support for the APC-led administration in spite of the needless distractions and antics of the opposition,” he said.
Adeola congratulates him
In a similar congratulatory message to Abiodun,the Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriation, Solomon Adeola (Ogun West), said the final victory of the Governor once again validated the overwhelming support of majority of the people of Ogun State for his second term based on his demonstrable and visible performance in office during his first tenure.
He commended the Supreme Court Justices for their erudite decision in not upturning the democratic wish of the people and however, decried the penchant of some politicians inclined to use the judicial system to truncate the democratic will of the people.
“We are overjoyed at this victory yet again against an unrepentant opposition unwilling to accept democratic rejection by the people.
“The coast is now clear for the governor to continue his steady development strides for the people of Ogun State,” he said
Senator Adeola promised his unwavering support for the governor and his people-oriented projects, adding that he will continue to play a complementary role in ensuring that Ogun state enjoys the full benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Let’s develop Gombe together, Gov. Yahaya tells opposition
Gombe Gov.Yahaya asked the opposition to join him in the task of developing the state.
The governor in a statement through his media aide Ismaila Uba-Misilli said that the state belongs to everyone.
“Gombe is not owned by any individual or party. Regardless of any differences, it belongs to all of us,” he said.
Continuing, Yahaya said: “In the spirit of unity and progress, I urge all members of the opposition to join us in the challenging task of working for greater Gombe.
“As the legal battle concludes, there are no winners or losers; let us work together for the progress and prosperity of our dear state.”
Yahaya said that with all court cases resolved, his focus and energy would now be directed towards advancing the development of Gombe State.
He assured the people of Gombe of his administration’s commitment to delivering more dividends of democracy during his second term in office.
The governor commended the Supreme Court Justices for their diligence and thoroughness in handling the case while also hailing his legal team for their effort in defending the mandate of Gombe people.
Oborevweri: I won all 38 election cases filed against me
Oborevweri held a thanksgiving service yesterday to acknowledge God’s intervention in the election petitions against him.
Speaking at the service held at the Government House Chapel, Asaba, soon after the judgment, Oborevweri said 38 cases were filed against him.
“This victory is not about me but for the people of Delta State. I faced 38 cases because of election matters more than any governor in Nigeria but I won all,” he said.
He pledged that he and his deputy would be servant leaders.”
Jubilation in Delta over Oborevwori’s Supreme Court win
Supporters of Governor Oborevwori, including members of the PDP yesterday flocked major streets of Warri, Effurun and environs to celebrate his victory at the Supreme Court.
In Warri, party faithful led by the Warri South PDP chairman, Johnson Agbeyegbe embarked on a walk through Esisi Road, Main Market, Hausa Quarters, Deco Road, Estate Roundabout and ended at the council secretariat, along Warri/Sapele Road.
At the popular Express Junction in Udu, women, youths and other supporters, most geared in PDP attires, gathered under a canopy where they danced to music played by a disc jockey in celebration of the victory at the apex court.
At Oleh and Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko South and Isoko North council areas respectively PDP members and supporters also gathered to celebrate.
Agbeyegbe stated that the “victory is a celebration of democracy, a celebration of the judiciary and a celebration of the will of the people”.
A notable Isoko philanthropist and Chief Executive Officer of Danmotech, Engr. Daniel Omoyibo, called on all Deltans, irrespective of party affiliations, to “rise and support” the governor for the state to be “great again”.
He said, “the Supreme Court ruling is a confirmation both of the perfect will of God and of the irrefutable choice of Delta people. It also reinforces the confidence our people have in the judiciary.
“This is a good development for the advancement of democracy in our nation Nigeria as it goes a long way to pattern true democracy for other African nations.”
Delta PDP, LP, others felicitate Oborevwori’s victory
The PDP, Labour Party (LP) and others in Delta State felicitated Gov. Oborevwori on his Supreme Court victory .
The PDP in a congratulatory message signed by its Publicity Secretary, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, said that Gov. Oborevwori’s victory was well deserved.
The party noted that the victory had cleared the coast for the full implementation and delivery of the M.O.R.E Agenda promised the people of Delta during the governor’s campaign.
“It is with overwhelming happiness, satisfaction, and a huge sense of relief, that the entire PDP family in Delta, offer our unreserved congratulations to;
“His Excellency, Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori and our dear Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme on the well-deserved election victory at the highest court in the land, Supreme Court.
“We applaud the judiciary once again for their undoubted consistency and conviction right from the Elections Petitions Tribunal, in maintaining an unwavering position on the result of the March 18, 2023 Governorship election in our State.
“And this final judgement is an irreversible affirmation of the decision of Delta masses to vote landslide for Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori as their duly elected Governor.”
On his part, State Chairman, Labour Party, Tony Ezeagwu, said that the verdict of the Supreme Court was the final and that it had been accepted in good faith.
He congratulated Gov. Oborevwori and wished him well as he pilots the affairs of the state.
“We have reached the final point at the Supreme Court and nothing more for us to do. We wish him well but let it not be that the winner takes it all, he should extend hands of fellowship to others,” Ezeagwu said.
Ex-Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, also congratulated Oborevwori,saying the unity, peace and development of the state is greater than individual or group interest and urged his supporters to respect the judgement in the interest of peace.
Omo-Agege, in a statement, maintained that the Supreme Court being the final court of the land, “all citizens are bound to accept and abide by its decisions even if they do not accord with their personal or collective expectations of justice”.
He said the party, having played its role in the defence of justice, must now “yield all to posterity”, and thanked God for granting him the grace to contest.
He praised President Ahmed Tinubu for his “genuine commitment and extraordinary support for our cause as the leader of our great party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) and a great statesman”.
He expressed appreciation to the national leadership of his party and its National Working Committee (NWC) for its unwavering support
PDP supporters protest in Nasarawa; Respect Supreme Court’s decision, Sule tells them
Moments after the court ruling, some PDP supporters took to the streets of Lafia to register their displeasure with the development.
They burned tires and blocked the Lafia -Jos highway, forcing motorists to use alternative roads.
Shops and business centres including schools within the Lafia metropolis shut down abruptly on account of the protest.
However, Governor Sule told the protesters and other residents of the state to respect the judgement of the Supreme Court
Speaking to State House correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu ,Sule acknowledged the dissenting views of those unhappy with the verdict.
He said: “Nasarawa is a state where we had over 600,000 votes and we won with over 340,000 votes, so you will know that over 200,000 people did not vote for us. So if out of these 200,000 people that did not vote for us and other set of 1,000 people are protesting somewhere, then you will know because it’s a day that not everybody will be happy.
“In every state where the Supreme Court actually passed judgment, in every one of these states you will find some people are happy and some other people not happy. But I think people who understand what democracy is all about will understand that the Supreme Court is the ultimate and is the final and those who appreciate or respect democracy should actually leave it right there because protests or no protests will not change anything.The Supreme Court has already passed its judgment.
“In our own case, when we lost at the tribunal, we told everybody, nobody should protest and that’s why nobody protested, but that is the level of maturity that you will see from one political party or the other. We are a very mature political party, we’re the ruling party in the country, we’re the ruling party in the state and we’re showing a good example, so that’s why we will not protest.”
Sule who was accompanied on the visit by his two predecessors – Umar Tanko Al-Makura, and Abdullahi Adamu- said: “in line with all the judgments that have been going on in the country, I think first and foremost, we must continue to thank Almighty God for giving us the good health and the opportunity to see the kind of democracy we are seeing. We must thank Mr. President, and that’s what brought us here to the Villa.
“We thank him for the kind of role he continues to play in all of these, by ensuring that fairness is done without undue interference, allowing the justice system to work the way it’s supposed to. So we must express our appreciation to him for doing all that to the good people of Nigeria.
“As far as we are concerned in Nasarawa State, we have won at the court of appeals, unanimously. We also won today with the five justices being led by a panel of the highly respected Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun (JSC). So we have to thank Almighty Allah that we also had all the five justices in support of us and that’s why we came.
“All the issues, as far as elections are concerned, are over today. We call on our opponents, without any grudge whatsoever, to come and join with us so we can build our state. Nasarawa State is next to Abuja. Nasarawa State is, today in the North-Central, the only state that has commercial quantity discovery of oil.
“It is the only state, so far, that is building minerals processing plants. We already have one of the lithium factories almost concluded and as you know, it is also a state that we are very lucky where we have agriculture that is flourishing. In fact, on my right hand, is the biggest local farmer that we have in the state and he’s rushing to go back for his harvest because he’s started harvesting.”
APC: We must continue to submit to dictates of the rule of law
The APC reiterated the need to continue to submit to the rule of law and constitutional order.
The party welcomed the Supreme Court rulings, saying that irrespective of the outcome of any contest a winner and loser must emerge.
National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka, in a statement in Abuja said: “”The All Progressives Congress (APC) welcomes today’s Supreme Court decisions in election petitions challenging the outcome of 2023 governorship elections in six states.
“In every contest, you win some and lose some but we must all continue to submit to the dictates of the rule of law and constitutional order.
“We congratulate the winners, particularly our Governors, Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna) and Nasir Idris (Kebbi).”
