The Supreme Court, on Friday, upheld the election of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
In its lead judgment delivered by Justice Ibrahim Saulawa, the Supreme Court dismissed an appeal the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its candidate, Sadique Abubakar. The APC had challenged the outcome of the March 18, 2023 governorship poll.
The ruling party contends that Governor Mohammed, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was not the valid winner of the contest.
They alleged that some electoral documents used during the poll were not properly filled. The also claimed that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal in Jos dismissed Abubakar’s case and upheld Governor Mohammed as duly elected.
Displeased by the judgment of both courts, Abubakar appealed to the Supreme Court, contending that the exhibits that were tendered in evidence by the parties was not properly evaluated by the tribunal.
The apex court, in a unanimous decision led by Justice Inyang Okoro, said it found no reason to dislodge the judgements of the lower courts.
The five-man panel resolved all the issues that were formulated by the appellants against them and thereafter dismissed the appeal.