Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barau has sworn-in Amos Yohanna as the new Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District.
He was inaugurated at the commencement of sitting on Wednesday by Barau, who presided over the plenary.
Yohanna of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) replaced Elisha Abbo, who was sacked by the Appeal Court last Monday.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja voided the election of Abbo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abbo: Akpabio orchestrated my sack from Senate, Orji Kalu is his next target
I have no hand in your removal from Senate, Akpabio replies Abbo
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Abbo winner of the February 25, 2023 parliamentary election, but Yohanna rejected the result and headed for the court.
The tribunal, in its judgement, dismissed the Yohanna’s petition for lacking in merit.
The PDP’s candidate, through his counsel Johnson Usman (SAN), approached the Appeal Court.
The Court of Appeal, after hearing arguments from parties, agreed with Usman that based on Section 137 of the Electoral Act, 2022, the results tendered clearly showed that there was no compliance with the Electoral Act.
The court, thereafter, deducted the invalid votes from the parties and found that Yohanna and PDP won the election by majority of lawful votes.
The three-member panel presided over by Justice C.E. Nwosu-Iheme, in a judgement, ordered INEC to issue a Certificate of Return to Yohanna as validly elected lawmaker for the senatorial district.
Reacting to the judgement, Abbo alleged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio was behind his removal from the Senate.
Akpabio denied the allegation, saying he had no hands in the appeal court judgement.
Twenty-four hours later, he recanted and apologised to Akpabio.
“I had a discussion with my leader, senior brother, colleague and the President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Akpabio and I am convinced that he was not involved in my exit from the Senate,” Abbo said.
