Supreme Court to Deliver Final Judgments on Bayelsa, Kogi Governorship Election Disputes

The Supreme Court of Nigeria is scheduled to deliver its final judgments on Friday, August 23, 2024, regarding the disputes arising from the 2023 governorship elections in Bayelsa and Kogi States.

The apex court had previously heard arguments from the legal representatives of the candidates involved in these disputes on Monday. Following the hearings, the court reserved its judgments.

Justice Garba Lawal, leading a five-member panel, has now informed the parties involved that the court’s final decisions will be announced on Friday.

This development was confirmed by Barrister Tunde Falola, counsel to Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State.

In Bayelsa, the governorship dispute centers on Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In Kogi State, the legal battle involves Usman Ahmed Ododo of the APC, who was declared the winner, and his challenger, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

It is important to note that both Douye Diri in Bayelsa and Usman Ahmed Ododo in Kogi had previously secured victories in their respective cases at the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunals and the Court of Appeal.