Supreme Court Verdicts Ignite Tension in 5 States as Key Figures Await Fate
The anticipation surrounding the last governorship elections in five states reached a crescendo as the Supreme Court scheduled judgments for Friday, January 19. The states under scrutiny include Ogun, Kebbi, Gombe, Nasarawa, and Delta, with political figures like Omo-Agege, Oborevwori, and others anxiously awaiting the outcome.
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On Thursday, January 18, the court’s schedule revealed its plan to deliver judgments on pivotal appeals. In Ogun, the spotlight is on two appeals, marked SC/CV/1221/2023 by Oladipupo Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and SC/CV/1223/2023 by the incumbent governor, Adedapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Adebutu and the PDP aim to challenge and potentially void Abiodun’s election.
Gombe faces a similar situation, with the court set to rule on an appeal by Jibrin Barde, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Barde and the PDP are seeking to invalidate the election of Governor Muhammad Yahaya of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The appeal, marked SC/CV/1226/2023, was heard by a five-member panel led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun on Thursday.
In Delta, the court will pronounce judgments on three appeals involving Ovie Omo-Agege (APC), Kenneth Gbagi (Social Democratic Party), and Kennedy Pela (Labour Party). Each appeal presents a critical challenge to the election results.
Nasarawa anticipates judgments on four appeals filed by Emmanuel David Ombugadu, the candidate of the PDP. The outcome will significantly impact the political landscape in the state.
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Kebbi, too, is poised for a verdict, with the court scheduled to deliver judgments on three appeals from Aminu Bande (PDP), incumbent governor Nasir Idris (APC), and Deputy Governor Abubakar Umar Argungu. Each appeal represents a distinct perspective on the governorship election.
In an earlier session on Thursday, the court heard an appeal by Mohammed Isa, the PDP candidate in Kaduna State, seeking to void the election of Governor Uba Sani of the APC. The court reserved judgment on this appeal, marked SC/CV/1240/2023, leaving the parties awaiting a communicated date for the decision.
The day also saw the dismissal of an appeal by Nafiu Bala of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marked SC/CV/1227/2023. Bala’s lawyer, Herbert Nwoye, withdrew the appeal upon realizing its futility, resulting in the court’s decisive action.
As the nation braces for these crucial Supreme Court verdicts, the political landscape in these states stands on the precipice, awaiting the resolution of contested elections and the fate of prominent figures involved.
