The Supreme Court has quashed the appeal lodged by the Labour Party and its candidate, Chijioke Edeoga.
In a unanimous decision on Friday, a five-member panel of justices solidified the legitimacy of Dr. Mbah as the duly elected governor of Enugu State.
This marked the final legal hurdle for Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, affirming his triumph in the fiercely contested Enugu State governorship election held on March 18, 2023.
Background
The apex court’s decision echoed the previous stances of both the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Appeal Court, which had consistently validated Mbah’s victory.
Before reaching the Supreme Court, the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Appeal Court had meticulously examined the details of the March 18th Governorship poll conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Both tribunals had, in turn, upheld INEC’s declaration of Mbah as the winner.
The Court of Appeal, in its verdict on November 10th, led by Justice Tani Yusuf-Hassan, dismissed three key issues raised by the Labour Party.
Emphasizing the lack of substantial evidence, the court debunked claims of over-voting and affirmed Mbah’s victory.
This decision served as a crucial precedent leading to the apex court’s unwavering support for the governor.
The Supreme Court’s unanimous dismissal of the appeal filed by Chijioke Edeoga and the Labour Party serves as the final chapter in this legal saga.
The court, through its five-member panel, highlighted the absence of grounds to overturn Mbah’s victory, reinforcing the credibility of the March 18th Governorship poll results.
With the apex court’s verdict, Governor Mbah stands victorious, having weathered the legal challenges that sought to dispute his mandate.
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