The Nigerian Senate has officially sworn in Amos Yohanna as the new Senator representing the Adamawa North Senatorial District. The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the plenary session.
Amos Yohanna, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has replaced Senator Elisha Abbo, who was dismissed by the Court of Appeal in Abuja. Senator Abbo, who was a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was relieved of his senatorial duties last week after a court ruling.
The Court of Appeal, in its verdict delivered on Monday, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Amos Yohanna, declaring him as the duly elected lawmaker representing the Adamawa North Senatorial District. The Court of Appeal overturned the judgment of the tribunal, which had initially affirmed Senator Abbo’s victory in the senatorial election.
INEC had initially declared Senator Abbo as the winner of the parliamentary election held on February 25, 2023. However, the PDP and Amos Yohanna contested the results by presenting a petition to the tribunal. Unfortunately, the tribunal ruled against Yohanna, finding his petition to be without merit.
Unsatisfied with the tribunal’s judgment, the PDP candidate and his counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, pursued the case at the Court of Appeal. After careful consideration of arguments presented by both parties, the Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Amos Yohanna. The court relied on Section 137 of the Electoral Act, 2022, to determine that the election results provided evidence of non-compliance with electoral regulations. Consequently, the court deducted the invalid votes and declared Yohanna and the PDP the winners by a majority of valid votes.
Senator Elisha Abbo referred to the court’s decision as a “coup on democracy” but urged his supporters to remain calm.
Further details on this development will be provided as they emerge.