The Supreme Court , on Friday, upheld the election of Nasir Idris as duly elected Kebbi State Governor
In its lead judgement delivered by a Justice of Supreme Court (JSC), Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, the apex court held that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Aminu Bande, failed to discharge the burden of proof placed on their shoulders by the law.
JSC Abba-Aji said, “My conclusion is that this appeal lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed.”
In her contribution to the lead verdict, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun said, “There is no scintilla of merit in this appeal, and I accordingly dismiss it.”
The PDP and Bande had urged the Supreme Court to nullify the November 24, 2023 judgement of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which upheld the election of Governor Idris.
They also faulted the appellate court decision on the grounds that it dismissed their appeal without proper consideration of their evidence.
The appellate court had held that the allegation of forgery levelled against the Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Abubakar Tafida, was unsubstantiated.
It further held that the issues of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act in the conduct of the election could not stand since the appellants failed to show how it substantially affected the outcome of the poll.
It is instructive to note that INEC had declared the Kebbi State governorship election inconclusive on account of massive vote cancellations and over-voting in 20 of the 21 LGAs in the state.
INEC later conducted a supplementary election on April 15, 2023, which was won by Governor Idris.
