BREAKING: Supreme Court Returns Francis Nwifuru As Ebonyi Governor
- The court has solidified Francis Nwifuru's March 18 electoral victory in Ebonyi as it delivered judgment in favour of the ruling APC
- In a decisive ruling on Friday, the apex court upheld the integrity of the electoral process and rejected the PDP's appeal for lacking merit
- The ruling came after the Court of Appeal in Lagos also affirmed the election of Nwifuru as the duly elected governor of Ebonyi state
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal challenging the election of Francis Nwifuru as the governor of Ebonyi state on Friday, January 12.
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A five-member panel of justices unanimously held that the appeal by Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacked merit, Daily Trust reported.
The lead judgment read by Justice Tijani Abubakar held that Odii and the PDP failed to prove allegations of non-qualification to contest the election and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022 in the election, Sahara Reporters added.
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This was after the Supreme Court, on Monday, January 8, opted to reserve judgment on the Ebonyi state election appeal.
The apex court considered the appeal brought by Odii after hearing arguments from both parties.
Justice John Okoro reserved the judgment and noted that a new date would be communicated to the parties involved in the matter.
How the appeal court ruled on Ebonyi election dispute
Recall that the Court of Appeal Lagos division had affirmed the election of Nwifuru as the duly elected governor of Ebonyi state.
In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel led by Justice Jummai Sankey dismissed the appeal filed by Chukwuma Odii of the PDP.
Justice Sankey held that the PDP and its candidate lacked the legal right to meddle in the internal affairs of the APC as it relates to the nomination of candidates.
Supreme Court rules in favour of Governor Dauda Lawal
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that the Supreme Court affirmed Governor Dauda Lawal's election.
The apex court set aside the appellant's verdict, which seemingly sacked Lawal in November 2023.
The victorious governor is a chieftain of the PDP, while his main challenger, Bello Matawalle, is a member of the APC.
Delivering the lead decision of the Supreme Court, Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim described the judgement of the lower Court of Appeal as perverse. He said the lower court's decision lacked evidential foundation.
Supreme Court's verdict in appeal against Governor Alia
Similarly, Legit.ng reported earlier that the Supreme Court rejected an appeal challenging the election of Governor Hyacinth Alia in Benue state.
The appeal was withdrawn by Sebastian Hon, the counsel representing Titus Uba from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Uba had contested the triumph of Governor Hyacinth Alia from the APC.
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Source: Legit.ng
