The Nigerian Senate officially welcomed Amos Yohanna as the new Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District during a swearing-in ceremony held on Wednesday. The oath of office was administered by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session.
Yohanna, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), takes the place of Senator Abbo, who was removed from office by the Court of Appeal last week. The appellate court’s three-member panel, led by Justice C.E. Nwosu-Iheme, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Yohanna as the rightful representative of the senatorial district in the National Assembly.
The Court of Appeal’s ruling overturned the tribunal’s judgment, which had initially upheld Senator Abbo’s election victory. INEC had declared Abbo the winner of the February 25, 2023, parliamentary election. Dissatisfied with the outcome, Yohanna and the PDP challenged the election results at the tribunal, which dismissed their petition for lacking merit.
In response to the tribunal’s ruling, Yohanna, represented by his counsel Johnson Usman, SAN, appealed to the Court of Appeal. The higher court determined that the election results submitted did not comply with the Electoral Act and deducted invalid votes from both parties. After this adjustment, Yohanna and the PDP were declared the victors based on a majority of lawful votes.
Senator Abbo referred to the judgment as a “coup on democracy” but called for calm among his supporters.
Further details on this development will be provided as they emerge.