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The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, upheld the elections of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom state and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia state.
In the case of Governor Emmanuel, a seven-man panel of Justices of the Supreme court, in a unanimous judgement, vacated the decision of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal which ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct fresh election in the state.
The apex court, in a lead judgment delivered by Justice Cintus Nweze around 9:40pm Wednesday, said there was merit in the appeal lodged before it by both Governor Emmanuel and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The court said it would give reasons for the judgement on February 15, 2016
In the case of Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State, seven-man panel of Justices of the apex court, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, voided the verdict of the Owerri Division of the Court of Appeal which sacked Ikpeazu from office.
Justice Sulaiman Galadima who delivered the lead judgment, said there was merit in the appeal lodged by both Ikpeazu and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The Supreme Court upheld the verdict of the Abia State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
“I have come to the conclusion that this appeal lacks merit, judgment of the court of appeal is hereby set-aside. No cost is to be awarded. Reasons to be given on February 26”, Justice Galadima held.
Both Ikpeazu and the PDP had gone before the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal Judgement that declared the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Dr. Alex Otti, as the valid winner of the April 11, 2015, governorship election in Abia State.