by Dolapo Adelana

The Supreme Court in Abuja has upheld the election of the Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello.

Delivering its judgment on Friday in a case prepared by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, the apex court said the appellant, Mustapha Babangida, lacked merit.

It said Babangida did not participate in the election neither did he fail even though he is a bona fide member of the All Progressives Congress.

Babangida had asked the apex court to nullify the election of Bello, calling for a fresh election.

While dragging the party before the Federal High Court, Minna, the state capital, Babangida accused the APC of bias, saying Bello’s emergence as its candidate was null and void.

Counsel to the appellant, Mohammed Mohammed, however, called for an amendment of Section 87 of the Electoral Act, which he said denied his client the right to sue.

Addressing journalists after the ruling, Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa, said Babangida’s argument was baseless because despite being aware that sale of forms for candidates had ended, he went ahead to pay the sum of N4m into the party’s bank account.

Oludolapo Adelana

Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.