Plateau, Kano, Zamfara, Bauchi Govs Arrive Supreme Court for Crucial Rulings Today

The Supreme Court in Nigeria’s capital city is buzzing with anticipation as Governors Abba Yusuf (Kano), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara) await verdicts in the governorship election disputes involving at least seven governors elected last March and sworn in on May 29, 2023.

The courtroom is filled to capacity as the governors, accompanied by their legal teams, anxiously await the arrival of the five-man panel of justices. Former Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, is also present.

Late December saw the apex court reserving judgment in the appeal filed by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf. The challenge followed the removal from office by the Court of Appeal and the State Election Petitions Tribunal, decisions contested by Yusuf.

On January 9, 2024, the Supreme Court reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Governor Caleb Mutfwang. He seeks to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision nullifying his election, arguing that the respondents have no right to question how a party elects its state executives.

Last November, the Appeal Court nullified the election of Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, leading to a fresh election order in three local government areas by the three-member panel led by Justice Oyebisi Folayemi.

In November, the appellate court affirmed Governor Bala Mohammed’s victory in the Bauchi State governorship election, dismissing the APC candidate Sadique Abubakar’s plea.

The Appeal Court in Lagos affirmed the tribunal’s judgment, confirming Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Obafemi Hamzat as the Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos state, dismissing the PDP and LP appeal for lack of merit.

The Supreme Court recently reserved judgment in the Ebonyi State governorship election appeal, involving the affirmation of APC’s Francis Nwifuru as the duly elected governor of Ebonyi State.

As the nation watches, these verdicts will undoubtedly shape the political landscape and determine the fate of these governors and their states.