Heightened security is evident in and around the Supreme Court of Nigeria Complex within the three arms zones of Abuja as the anticipated judgment in the Kano State governorship election appeal approaches.
The Supreme Court is set to render decisions on seven states—Lagos, Plateau, Bauchi, Abia, Ebonyi, Zamfara, and Cross River.
The judgments in the Kano and Plateau appeals carry particular anticipation, given that lower courts had previously removed the incumbent governors.
Security measures have been visibly reinforced at the main entrance of the court, with both regular and plain-clothed police units preventing unauthorized access to the complex.
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, along with his party NNPP, filed an appeal against the Court of Appeal’s judgment, which upheld his removal as pronounced by the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
The tribunal had nullified Yusuf’s election, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to revoke his certificate of return and issue it to Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 18, 2023, governorship election.
Meanwhile, in Plateau, Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s election, initially upheld by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos, was overturned by the appeal court, declaring Nentawe Goshwe of the APC as the winner.
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The court cited the PDP’s failure to comply with the Plateau State High Court’s order to conduct valid ward, local government, and state congress as a basis for its decision.
Present in the court on Friday were four governors: Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Abba Yusuf of Zamfara State, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.
Additionally, the immediate past Governor of Plateau State, Senator Simon Lalong, was also in attendance.
At precisely 9:27 am, the justices of the Supreme Court entered the court to initiate the delivery of judgments.
(GUARDIAN)