BREAKING NEWS, Politics
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THE Supreme Court, on Tuesday, February 2, upheld the elections of Abiola Ajimobi, Ifeanyi Okowa and Ibrahim Geidam, governors of Oyo, Delta and Yobe states respectively.
The Supreme Court in separate decisions dismissed all the appeals challenging the elections. It, however, promised to provide reasons for its decisions on February 15.
Justice Mary Peter-Odili, who delivered the unanimous decision of the seven-man panel of justices, in Yobe State’s case said: “I have reviewed the records in this appeal and the briefs filed by the parties. I find no merit in the appeal and I hereby dismiss it.”
The court did not award cost but ordered the parties to bear the costs.
In the case of Oyo State, Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi read the lead judgment, saying: “I have read all the processes filed in this appeal. I have also considered all the arguments by parties. I dismissed the appeal.”
Justice Ogunbiyi also dismissed as an abuse of court process, an appeal filed by Rasheed Ladoja of the Accord Party. But did not award any cost.
Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammed, who read the lead judgment in one of the appeals on Delta State governorship election, also dismissed the appeal
He said: “I have carefully considered the records of appeal in this case. I have also considered the arguments by counsel and thier briefs, I find no merit in the appeals.”
In any there were two appeals from Delta State. One initiated by Great Ogboru of the Labour Party. The appeal was dismissed by Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammed.
The second appeal which was filed Otega Emehor, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, which was also dismissed by Justice John Okoro.
Justice Okoro said he found no merit in the appeal and promised to give reasons for the judgment on February 15.
Reacting to the judgement, Okowa on Tuesday, called on both Emerhor and Ogboru to apologise to Deltans for distracting them with legal battles they knew were not justifiable.
Speaking in Asaba, capital of the state, at a thanksgiving service held shortly after the Supreme Court upheld his election, the governor said it was time for his opponents to drop their opposition and work for the common good of the state.
Okowa said: “It is time to forgive and move on, I also believe that my opponents should apologise to all Deltans because, they knew the people’s choice but they just wanted to go through this legal process.”
— Feb 3, 2016 @ 13:40 GMT
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