The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the election victories of six state governors, affirming their mandates after considering appeals against their victories. The governors whose elections were affirmed include Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Uba Sani of Kaduna, Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe, Nasir Idris of Kebbi, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State. The court dismissed the appeals, stating that they lacked merit. This follows a series of rulings on governorship appeals, with no governor being removed from office in the decided cases. The decisions mark an end to legal challenges against the governors’ elections.
In Nasarawa State, the appeal by David Ombugadu of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenging Abdullahi Sule’s election was dismissed. The court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal that reinstated Sule as the governor.
In Delta State, the appeals by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party, and Social Democratic Party against Sheriff Oborevwori were also dismissed. The court upheld the election of Oborevwori as the governor.
The Supreme Court affirmed the election of Uba Sani as the governor of Kaduna State, dismissing the appeal by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mohammed Isa. The court described the appeal as vexatious, frivolous, and lacking in merit.
Similarly, the election of Inuwa Yahaya as the governor of Gombe State was upheld, with the court dismissing the appeal by the PDP and its candidate, Jibrin Barde.
In Kebbi State, the Supreme Court affirmed the election of Nasir Idris as the governor, dismissing the appeal by Aminu Bande of the PDP.
Governor Dapo Abiodun’s victory in Ogun State was also affirmed, with the court dismissing the appeal by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Ladi Adebutu. The appeal sought to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in certain polling units.
These decisions conclude a series of governorship appeals, bringing the total number of resolved cases to 15. The Supreme Court has consistently maintained the mandate of the governors in the decided cases.
Meanwhile, in Nasarawa State, protests erupted following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s victory. A group of aged women, including widows, staged a protest in Lafia, expressing displeasure with the court’s decision. The protests led to road blockades and the closure of businesses and schools in the state capital. Some protesters were arrested by the police.
Governor Sule responded to the protests, stating that they would not change the Supreme Court’s position. He urged calm and reiterated that the court had affirmed the validity of his election.
In Ogun State, Governor Dapo Abiodun welcomed the Supreme Court victory, emphasizing that attempts to distract his administration had failed. He called on his political adversaries to prepare for another election in 2027.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State also applauded the Supreme Court judgment, stating that it marked the final seal on the mandate freely given to him by the people.
Governor Oborevwori of Delta State called on opposition candidates to collaborate for the development of the state, noting that he had faced numerous election cases. The governor made the remarks during a thanksgiving service at the Government House Chapel after the Supreme Court judgment.
The decisions by the Supreme Court affirming the governors’ victories contribute to the stability of leadership in the respective states, bringing legal challenges to a conclusion.