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There is tension across several states in Nigeria as the Supreme Court prepares to deliver its final verdicts on contested governorship elections. Governorship polls across 28 states in March 2023 sparked disputes in some, with aggrieved candidates challenging the results in tribunals and the Court of Appeal. Now, all eyes turn towards the Supreme Court, where the fate of contested elections in states like Kano, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Delta, Bauchi, and Plateau will be determined and technicality won’t play any role.
Kano, another volatile state, there is also anxiety among both the APC and the NNPP. While APC supporters remain tight-lipped, a party insider confided in their confidence due to victories at the tribunal and appeal court.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Abba Yusuf of the NNPP as the winner of the March 18, 2023, governorship election. However, his close contender, Nasira Gawuna of the APC, challenged the outcome of the election, alleging electoral malpractices. The court reserved judgment in the case after hearing the arguments from both parties in December 2023. The case has created anxiety in Kano State as Nigerians await the verdict of the Supreme Court
In Nasarawa, the PDP believes their candidate, David Emmanuel Ombugadu, has a strong chance if the Supreme Court adheres to the merits of the case, rather than technicalities. Security personnel have been deployed to potential flashpoints in anticipation of any reactions to the verdict. Abdullahi Sule of the APC won the March 18, 2023 governorship election in Nasarawa State. However. In October, the election tribunal declared Ombugadu the winner of the poll, saying that the results were manipulated in favor of Sule.
Dissatisfied with the tribunal’s decision, Sule headed to the appeals court. The Court of Appeal ruled in his favor in November, saying that the tribunal’s decision was wrong.
Plateau State, Residents express both apprehension about potential escalation and relief regarding the security deployment. Both the APC and the PDP express confidence in their respective positions. Caleb Mutfwang of the PDP had 525,299 votes, while the candidate of the APC, Nentawe Goshwe, polled 481,370 votes in the March 18 governorship election in the state.
The court nullified Mutfwang’s victory and ordered INEC to withdraw his certificate of return and issue a new one to the APC candidate.
However, the governor has appealed the judgment, and the case is currently awaiting the decision of the Supreme Court.
In Zamfara, Dauda Lawal of the PDP scored 377,726 to defeat Bello Matawalle, the incumbent governor and the candidate of the APC.In November, the Court of Appeal sacked Lawal and ordered INEC to conduct fresh elections in Maradun Local Government, in four wards in Birnin Magaji Local Government, and in some polling units in Bukkuyum Local Government.
These cases hold significant weight for the political landscape in the states and beyond. The Supreme Court’s decisions will determine who governs and shape the future political dynamics in these key regions
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