As the Supreme Court prepares to deliver its judgments on the various petitions challenging the rulings of the Court of Appeal on governorship elections, anxiety and tension have gripped party stakeholders and supporters. The verdicts, expected to be delivered this January, will determine the outcomes of the disputed elections in states such as Kano, Lagos, Ogun, Nasarawa, Benue, and Bauchi.
In Kano State, residents eagerly await the apex court judgment on the governorship election dispute. Supporters of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have staged protests and rallies, expressing opposing views on the Appeal Court ruling. The appellate court affirmed the tribunal’s verdict that sacked Governor Abba Yusuf and declared Dr Nasiru Gawuna of the APC as the authentic winner. The controversy surrounding the claim of two different judgments has fueled tensions in the state.
Benue State is also filled with anxiety as residents await the Supreme Court’s verdict on the appeal of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Titus Uba. Uba’s challenge against the judgments of the tribunal and the Appeal Court, which upheld the election of Hyacinth Alia of the APC, has heightened fears among the populace. Civil servants and retirees in the state are fervently praying for a favorable outcome.
In Ogun State, the PDP remains confident in overturning Governor Dapo Abiodun’s victory at the apex court. The party claims that the mandate was stolen from its governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, by the APC. The APC’s Publicity Secretary, Tunde Oladunjoye, has dismissed these claims and urged Adebutu to focus on addressing the allegations against him.
The Lagos State chapter of the PDP and its governorship candidate, Dr Olajide Adediran, are optimistic about their chances at the Supreme Court. Their petition challenges the qualification of the declared winner, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC, as stated in the electoral law. The Jandor4Governor Campaign Organization believes that the Supreme Court will examine the facts of the matter before delivering justice.
In Nasarawa State, the nullification of Governor Abdullahi Sule’s election by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal was later reversed by the Appeal Court, upholding Sule’s victory. The matter is now before the Supreme Court. Both the APC and the PDP express confidence in a favorable judgment, citing supporting documents and evidence.
The acting Chairman of the APC in Bauchi State, Muhammad Hassan-Tilde, remains hopeful of victory based on the grounds of the petitions challenging the judgments of the tribunal and the Appeal Court. Supporters are urged to remain optimistic and prayerful, believing in the victory of their candidate, Sadique Abubakar.
As the nation awaits the Supreme Court verdicts, tensions continue to rise, and the outcomes of these cases will undoubtedly have significant implications for the political landscape in these states.
