In a definitive decision, the Supreme Court has solidified the electoral victory of Governor Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru of the APC in Ebonyi State, upholding the earlier dismissals by the tribunal and Appeal Court regarding the petitions against INEC’s declaration of the APC candidate. The judgment, delivered by Justice Tijani Abubakar JSC, deems the appeal filed by Chukwuma Odii of the PDP as unmeritorious.
The tribunal and the Court of Appeal had previously dismissed the petitions and affirmed INEC’s declaration of Governor Nwifuru as the rightful winner of the 18th March Governorship poll. Justice Tijani Abubakar, reading the lead judgment at the Supreme Court, reiterated the court’s position on the matter.
The Supreme Court held that the appeal lacked merit, emphasizing that a petition alleging non-qualification must be grounded in Section 177 of the Constitution. Notably, the court clarified that when a candidate is sponsored by their party, they are inherently qualified to contest an election, addressing the central argument raised in the appeal.
The decision by the Supreme Court effectively puts to rest any lingering doubts surrounding Governor Nwifuru’s eligibility and affirms the democratic process in Ebonyi State.
