- APC supporters distribute uniforms in Kano ahead ruling
The Supreme Court is expected to conclude the 21 governorship election appeals this January with judgment expected before Sunday in the appeals on Kano, Nasarawa and Lagos governorship disputes.
Daily Trust gathered that January 14 is the time limit within which to conclude some of the governor appeals at the apex court.
Some of the cases include Kano, Ebonyi, Plateau, Delta, Adamawa, Abia, Ogun, Cross River, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa and Benue states.
The apex court heard the Ebonyi appeal challenging the governorship election and delivered judgment in the Benue appeal on Monday.
On Tuesday, the apex court will hear six appeals: three in respect of Plateau State, filed by the PDP, its candidate, Nentawe Goshwe and INEC; and three in respect of Delta State, filed by Kenneth Gbagi of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Omo-Agege Ovie Augustine of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Pela Kennedy of the Labour Party (LP)
On Wednesday, it will hear four appeals, two in relation to Adamawa State, filed by the candidate of the SDP and a counter appeal by Ahmadu Fintiri of the PDP (the incumbent).
It will also hear appeals on the Abia governorship filed by Okechukwu Ahiwe of the PDP and Ikechi Emenike of the APC challenging Governor Alex Otti’s election.
On Thursday, it will hear six appeals – two in relation to Ogun State filed by Oladipo Adebutu of the PDP and a counter appeal by Governor Abiodun Adedapo of the APC; in Cross River, filed by Prof Sandy Onor of the PDP; and two in respect of Akwa Ibom State, filed by Akpan Udofia of the Young People’s Party (YPP) and John Akpan Udoedehe of the NNPP.
On Friday, the apex court is expected to deliver judgments in the governorship appeals already heard, including those relating to Lagos, Kano and other states.
A senior lawyer with an appeal at the Supreme Court said the Supreme Court always meets its target and tries to keep to the 180 days constitutionally guaranteed time to consider post-governorship election petitions.
“Not all the cases started at the same time, so they would determine them, some they would compel parties to withdraw them if they find no issues there,” he said.
APC shares uniform ahead of ruling in Kano
Daily Trust gathered that the supporters of the APC in Kano state have begun distributing uniforms (popularly known as aso-ebi) in anticipation of a favourable ruling from the Supreme Court.
In one of the uniforms seen by Daily Trust, the inscription “Section 177” was boldly written on the T-shirt, referring to the Section 177 of the Nigeria Constitution, which spelt out the criteria for becoming a governor in Nigeria.
The Court of Appeal had in affirming the sack of Governor Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) held that the governor did not meet the requirement of the section, specifically Section 177(3), which stated that a person shall be qualified for election to the office of Governor of a State if “he is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party”.
The APC had argued in the petition that Governor Yusuf was not a member of the NNPP as at the time of the election based on the membership register of the NNPP submitted to INEC before the election and could not have been said to have been legally sponsored by the party.
Thus, producers of the uniforms said they believe the apex court would affirm the decision of the Court of Appeal.
Similarly, many members of the APC in Fagge Local Government Area have reportedly distributed another uniform adorned with President Bola Tinubu’s cap symbol with party leaders urging members to fast-track sewing the cloth in anticipation of a favourable Supreme Court judgement.
One of the APC members, Faisal Ibrahim, according to the Premium Times said he had sewed his clothes waiting for the swearing-in ceremony of Nasir Gawuna of the APC as the governor of Kano.
A party leader in Fagge D1 ward, Ahmad Dangwarzo, also said they have distributed many such dresses to their members across the state for the planned swearing-in ceremony of Gawuna.
“The APC leaders across the state are distributing different kinds of clothing in their respective council areas and we are confident of winning at the Supreme Court unless the constitution is changed but nothing will change the judgement of the previous courts,” Dangwarzo said.
The development followed fasting and animal sacrifices observed over the week by members of the APC and those of the ruling NNPP in the state. The two parties had asked their members to pray for a favourable Supreme Court judgement.
Benue gov dedicates victory to masses
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue state on Monday dedicated his victory at the Supreme Court to the masses of Benue State.
Alia said the judgement only reaffirmed the time-honoured mantra that power belongs to the people.
He noted through his spokesman, Tersoo Kula that the mandate of the masses, which was overwhelmingly given to him, would only be used for the good and welfare of the people.
He said that he will continue to prioritise their needs and interests over those of people who do not mean well for the state, calling on the people to continue to support the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to provide dividends of democracy to the Nigerian people.
A five-member panel of justices on Monday unanimously dismissed the appeal by Titus Uba of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after it was withdrawn by his counsel, Sebastian Hon (SAN).
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