By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
The Supreme Court on Wednesday in Abuja nullified the nomination of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress APC for Taraba state in the March 11, 2023 elections.
In a judgment on Wednesday, Justice Adamu Jauro affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court in Jalingo Taraba State capital that nullified the selection of Bwacha as the APC governorship candidate in the state.
The court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Yola Division, which had on November 24, 2022, reinstated Emmanuel Bwacha as governorship candidate of the APC in the forthcoming general elections.
A 5-man panel of the Supreme Court upheld the judgment of the trial court which had ordered for a fresh primary election within 14 days.
The court agreed with the Federal High Court there was no valid primary elections conducted in Taraba state.
The Supreme Court also agreed that the results of the primary elections were concocted and fraudulently allocated to the aspirants in favour of Senator Bwacha.
It said “the appeal is allowed and Parties bear their respective cost”
The Court of Appeal, Yola division had reinstated Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba state.
In a unanimous decision, the three-man panel led by Justice Tani Yusuf Hassan set aside the judgment of the Federal High court and ruled in favour of Bwacha.
A Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, Taraba State capital had nullified the nomination of Bwacha as the APC governorship candidate in the state.
The court also ordered that a fresh primary election should be conducted by the party to elect a new governorship candidate.
The High Court ruling followed a suit filed before the court by one of the aspirants Hon, David Sabo Kente.
David Sabo Kente who instituted the suit had told the court that no governorship primary election was held in Taraba.
Justice Simon Amobeda had in his judgment subsequently nullified Bwacha’s nomination and ordered a fresh primary within 14 days.
The judge also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to stop recognising Bwacha as the candidate of the party.
Reacting to the judgment in an interview with newsmen, the appellant who was also an aspirant Hon. David Kente described it as a land mark judgment that brought hope to the people of Taraba state.
He expressed hope that others would take the Supreme Court’s decision in good faith and make the APC stronger in the end.
