The Supreme Court has fixed Friday, January 19, 2024, as the date for delivering judgment on governorship election petitions in Rivers, Ogun, Nasarawa, and Taraba States. The decision follows the conclusion of the adoption of final briefs by lawyers representing the parties involved in disputes arising from the March 18, 2023, governorship elections in the mentioned states.
The apex court had previously reserved judgment in the appeal challenging the electoral victory of Governor Abdullahi Sule in Nasarawa State. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, leading a five-member panel, made the ruling on Tuesday, January 16, 2023, after lawyers for the parties presented their final submissions. The appeal, filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, David Ombugadu, seeks to overturn the November 23, 2023, judgment of the Court of Appeal, which reversed the earlier decision of the election tribunal and affirmed the victory of Governor Sule.
Similarly, the court also reserved judgment in an appeal seeking to overturn the election of Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State. After the adoption of final briefs, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun ruled that judgment was reserved, with parties to be notified when it is ready for delivery.
In Sokoto State, the Supreme Court, on the same day, reserved judgment in an appeal challenging the election of Ahmad Aliyu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Sokoto State. The appeal was filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Saidu Umar.
As the anticipation builds, stakeholders and the public await the Supreme Court’s decisions on these election petitions, which hold significant implications for the political landscape in the respective states.
