In a decisive ruling on Friday, the Supreme Court upheld the election victory of Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State. Justice Mohammed Garba, delivering the lead judgment, dismissed the allegation that Governor Mbah did not possess the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate, deeming it a mere assertion without merit.
The court resolved all issues raised in the appeal brought against the governor by Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party. Edeoga had contested the decision of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier dismissed his case against Governor Mbah and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The Lagos Division of the Appeal Court, in a unanimous decision, addressed all three issues raised by the appellant, Edeoga. The three-member panel, led by Justice Tani Hassan, concluded that Edeoga failed to substantiate the claim that Governor Mbah was not qualified to contest the governorship election.
Regarding the allegation of overvoting, Justice Hassan, in her lead judgment, emphasized that the voters’ register was not presented before the lower tribunal. The failure to tender the voters’ register rendered the appeal inadmissible, according to the court.
The Supreme Court’s affirmation solidifies Governor Peter Mbah’s mandate, bringing an end to the legal challenge against his election. The ruling reinforces the judiciary’s role in adjudicating electoral disputes and upholding the integrity of the democratic process in Nigeria.
