From Saka Bolaji , Minna
Niger state Information Commissioner, Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, has lauded the Supreme Court decision on the mandate of the state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.
Vatsa described the pronouncement as democracy in action. The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the election of Sani Bello, declaring that the case by the Appellant, Mustapha Babangida lacked merit.
In the lead jugment prepared by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, the court ruled that appellant did not participate in the election neither did he fail in it, even though he is an All Progressives Congress (APC)-card carrying member.
Babangida had asked the apex court to nullify the election of Sani Bello and call for a fresh election.
He had dragged the APC to the Federal High Court in Minna claiming that the party was biased and that Sani Bello’s emergence as the APC standard bearer was null and void.
Ruling on the case with Suit No. FHC/Minna/255/2015 and dated 3rd of February, 2016, Justice Onnoghen said after considering the issues, citing the case of Audu and Nyako and section 87 sub-section 9 of the electoral Act, 2010 the appellant did not participate, neither did he fail in the elections.
Onnoghen prepared the lead judgement but mandated the Presiding Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs to read its.
Counsel to the appellant Mohammed M. Mohammed however called for an amendment of Section 87 of the electoral act which denied his client the right to sue.
However, Counsel to one of the Respondent – APC – , Yunus Usman, hailed the ruling of the apex court.
Vatsa, while addressing Journalists after the judgement, said Babangida was told the sales of form had ended but he went ahead to pay the sum of N4 million into the party’s bank account.
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