GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION: Apex Court Nullifies Appellate Verdict On Wike, Affirms Amosun, Umahi

Ibikunle Amosun

Nyesom Wike

Dave Umahi

The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Wednesday nullified the Court of Appeal ruling on the election of the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate on the April 11 governorship election in Rivers state, Barrister Nyesom Wike as the validly elected winner of the election conducted by the National Independent Electoral Commission, INEC.

Wike was earlier sacked by the Court of Appeal which ordered for a rerun within 90 days based on the appeal file by the All Progressive Party candidate, APC Mr. Dakuku Peterside challenging the verdict of the election Tribunal which upheld the governor’s victory on the election.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, JSC  who delivered the lead judgment held that the three separate appeals filed by the PDP’s candidate in the election were substantially credible and meritorious, ipso facto setting aside the earlier decision of the Court of appeal.

In similar manner, the apex court upheld the election of Dave Umahi and Ibikunle Amosun as the duly elected governors of Ebonyi and Ogun States respectively.

However, the seven-man panel led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed which affirmed the elections in three separate judgments reserved the reasons on the judgment till February 12.