Supreme Court Affirms Otu, Nwifuru, Oti Others As Validly Elected Governors, Reverses sack Of Yusuf, Muftwang... Bishop Isong Congratulates Otu

By Abdul SULE (Abuja) Ndifreke BASSEY (Calabar)

In a historic judgement, the Supreme Court siting in Abuja has affirmed the elections of 
Bassey Otu of Cross River (APC), Alex Oti of Abi (LP),
Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos (APC), Bala Mohammed (PDP) of Bauchi, PDP's Dauda Lawal  of Zamfara and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi (APC), 

Ruling on Cross River, the Apex upheld the election of BASSEY Otu of APC as Dukey elected and dismissed the case of Sen. Sandy Onor of PDP.

Besides, the Supreme Court has reversed the sack of Abba Yusuf (NNPP) of Kano and PDP's Caleb Muftwang of Plateau and affirmed their elections as governors of their respective states. 

Ruling on Lagos, Justice Garba Lawal, who read the lead judgment, dismissed the appeal declared Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos as validly elected Governor.
On Zamfara, the Supreme Court affirmed PDP's Dauda Lawal as duly elected governor of Zamfara State.

Delivering judgement, Justice Agim said: "The decision of the Court of Appeal has no evidential foundation.

"The judgement of the Court of Appeal delivered in November is set aside. The order setting aside the appellant’s election is set aside. And the election of the Appellant is upheld."

Ruling on Ebonyi, the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Francis Nwifuru of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the Governor of Ebonyi State.

Justice Tijani Abubakar, who read the lead judgment, held that "the appeal filed by Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP is unmeritorious."

In Abia state, the Supreme Court upheld the election of Alex Oti.

The five-member panel of justices, led by Uwani Abba-Aji, dismissed the appeal filed by Okey Ahiwe, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deeming it as “lacking in merit”.

However, the Supreme Court in its wisdom, reversed the sack of Abba Yusuf (NNPP) of Kano and PDP's Caleb Muftwang of Plateau and affirmed their elections. 

Ruling on Kano, the Supreme Court reversed the sack of Abba Yusuf and affirmed His election as governor of Kano state.

Ruling, Justice Okoro, stated: "Section 177 (c) of the Constitution only frowns on independent candidate and nothing more, he says.

"The court below erred in law by investigating the governor's membership of the NNPP, Mr. Abba Yusuf.  Judges should be more meticulous.

"There is merit in this appeal. And the appeal is hereby allowed. The appellant won majority of lawful votes.

"The judgement of the lower Court voiding the election of the Appellant is hereby set aside "

On Plateau state, the Supreme Court reversed the Appellate Court's verdict and declared PDP's Caleb Muftwang duly elected governor of Plateau State.

Meanwhile, the national president of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Bishop Emmah Isong, has congratulated Governor Bassey Otu, describing him as God sent.

Isong in a telephone interview states: "PSALMS 46 VS 10
"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT IAM GOD "