State, National Assembly Election Appeals: Victory for Eno, Other Incumbent Governors

In recent developments, various State and National Assembly Appeal Court panels in Lagos and Abuja have delivered judgments affirming the victories of incumbent governors.

The appeals, arising from lower tribunals, favored politicians from different parties, including Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta State), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State), Umoh Eno (Akwa Ibom State), Uba Sani (Kaduna State), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi State), and Nasir Idris (Kebbi State).

Delta State:
In Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori’s election victory was upheld, with the Court of Appeal dismissing appeals from APC’s Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, SDP’s Chief Kenneth Gbagi, and LP’s Kennedy Pela. The court deemed the appeals lacking in merit, affirming the governor’s win in the March 18 election.

Ogun State:
Governor Dapo Abiodun’s election victory in Ogun State was affirmed by the Court of Appeal in a majority judgment, dismissing the appeal brought by PDP’s Hon. Ladi Adebutu. The court found no merit in the appeal, upholding the earlier decision of the Election Petition Tribunal.

Akwa Ibom State:
The Court of Appeal dismissed appeals by Senator Bassey Albert Akpan (YPP), Akanimo Udofia (APC), and Senator John Akpanudoedehe (NNPP) challenging Governor Umo Eno’s election in Akwa Ibom State. The court ruled the appeals lacked merit, emphasizing that the declaratory judgment of a competent court is binding on the entire world.

Kaduna State:
In Kaduna, the Court of Appeal voided the order for a supplementary election, overturning the decision of the Kaduna State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The court dismissed Isa Ashiru’s appeal but upheld Uba Sani’s, affirming Sani’s election as Governor of Kaduna State.

Ebonyi State:
The Court in Lagos affirmed the election of Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru as Ebonyi State Governor, dismissing appeals from Chukwuma Ifeanyi Odii (PDP) and Bernard Odoh (APGA). The court held that the issues raised by the appellants lacked merit, emphasizing that the internal affairs of the APC regarding candidate nomination were not justiciable.

Kebbi State:
In Kebbi, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the appeal against Nasir Idris’s declaration as Kebbi State Governor. The court found the appeal devoid of merit, upholding the decision of the Kebbi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which had earlier affirmed Idris’s victory.

These recent court decisions have solidified the positions of the incumbent governors, marking victories for them and their respective parties.

The legal processes underscore the importance of due diligence in electoral matters and the adherence to established legal principles.