The Supreme Court on Thursday fixed January 19 for judgment in the appeal filed by Jibrin Barde of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) challenging the victory of Muhammad Yahaya as Governor of Gombe State.
A five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, fixed the date after parties adopted and argued their briefs of arguments in the appeal which will expire Jan. 21.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had in November 2023 affirmed the election of Muhammad Yahaya as Governor of Gombe State.
The appellate court had affirmed Yahaya’s election shortly after dismissing two separate appeals challenging his declaration as winner of the March 18 governorship election in the state.
Delivering the lead judgment in the appeal marked: CA/G/EP/GOV/GM/11/2023 and filed by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Jibrin Mohammed Barde, the presiding Justice, Theresa Orji-Abadua held that the appeal was without merit and subsequently dismissed it.
According to judgment, the petitioners at the lower tribunal, failed to prove their allegations of non-qualification, perjury and certificate forgery raised in the petition.
After dismissing the appeal, the panel subsequently affirmed the judgment of the trial tribunal which had upheld the declaration of Yahaya as governor.
In the other judgment delivered by Justice Folasade Ojo, the appellate court also dismissed the appeal filed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its candidate Nafiu Bala in the March 18 governorship election.
Ojo held that the appeal was without merit and affirmed the judgment of the trial tribunal. (NAN)