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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna; Godwin Tsa, Abuja; Paul Osuyi, Asaba and Lukman Olabiyi
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja and Lagos State, Friday, confirmed the governorship elections of Uba Sani, Sheriff Oborevwori and Prince Dapo Abiodun, governors of Kaduna, Delta and Ogun states respectively.
In a unanimous decision, the appellate court in Abuja, reversed the September 28 judgment of the state tribunal, which declared the election as inconclusive.
Justice Obietonbara Owupele Daniel-Kalio, who read judgments on the main and cross appeal, also reversed the order of the tribunal directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct supplementary elections in 22 polling units in four local government areas of the state.
While expressing joy and gratitude at the confirmation of his victory by the Appeal Court, Governor Sani, also extended a hand of fellowship to all opposing sides in a bid to move Kaduna State forward in tandem with the SUSTAIN Kaduna agenda.
For the Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the appellate court in Lagos, in a unanimous judgment, affirmed his election by dismissing the three separate appeals brought by Ovie Omo-Agege of All Progressive Congress (APC), Ken Pela of Labour Party and Kenneth Gbagi of Social Democratic Party (SDP) for lack of merit.
However, reacting to the judgement, APC’s Ovie Omo-Agege, said he was convinced that the panel of Appeal Court justices “clearly misapprehended the reformed electoral jurisprudence that now prevails to deepen democracy in the country.
“We will proceed to the Supreme Court. The issues at stake touch on the future and wellbeing of the people who voted for a New Delta,” he stated.
For the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos in a split decision has affirmed his re-election in the March 18 governorship election.
The majority judgement delivered by Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh dismissed the appeal filed by the PDP candidate, Ladi Adebutu.
However, the minority judgement delivered by Justice Jane Esienanwan Inyang, allowed the appeal and ordered the INEC to conduct fresh election within 90 days.
Also on Friday, the State and National Assembly Appeal Court sitting in Lagos affirmed the election of Mr. Fran¬cis Ogbonna Nwifuru as the duly elected governor of Ebonyi State in the March 18 governorship election.
The three-member panel presided over by Justice Justice Jummai Hannatu Sankey in its unanimous decision dismissed two separate appeals filed by Chukwuma Ifeanyi Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and that of Bernard Odoh, of the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) respectively.
Other members m of the panel are Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, and Justice Ali Ibrahim Andeyangtso.
The panel resolved all the issues raised against the appellants and dismissed the two appeals for lacking in merit.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja also upheld the March 18 election of Nasir Idris as the validly elected governor of Kebbi State.
The Court in a judgment delivered on Friday evening dismissed the appeal brought before it by the People’s Democratic Party PDP and its governorship candidate, General Aminu Bande for being devoid in merit.
In a unanimous judgment delivered by Justice Ndukwe Anyannwu, the Appellate Court resolved all the five issues formulated for determination in favour of the governor and against PDP.
