In a decisive ruling, the Supreme Court has upheld the election of Francis Nwifuru from the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Governor of Ebonyi State.
This affirmation echoes the prior decision of the Court of Appeal in Lagos, which had dismissed the appeal presented by Chukwuma Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deeming it without merit.
The Court of Appeal, in its judgment delivered last November, had previously affirmed Nwifuru’s victory as the duly elected governor of Ebonyi State in the March 18 governorship election.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Jummai Sankey, unanimously dismissed Odii’s appeal and upheld the initial verdict of the tribunal. Despite these rulings, the PDP candidate sought redress from the apex court.
The panel, addressing all five issues raised against the appellant, concluded that the appeal lacked merit and subsequently dismissed it.
Justice Sankey emphasized that the PDP and its candidate lacked the legal standing to interfere in the internal affairs of the All Progressives Congress concerning the nomination of candidates.
Following the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Nwifuru emerged victorious in the March 18 poll in Ebonyi State, securing 199,131 votes.
He surpassed Ifeanyi Odii of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who scored 80,191, and Ben Odo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) who received 52,189 votes. The Supreme Court’s validation solidifies Nwifuru’s position as the duly elected governor of Ebonyi State.
Ada Peter
