Gov. Sani says Supreme Court Verdict is final Seal On People’s Mandate Given him, as Omo- Aje lauds judgments
Gov. Sani says Supreme Court Verdict is final Seal On People’s Mandate Given him, as Omo- Aje lauds judgments
By: Femi Mustspha
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State says the unanimous decision on Friday by the Nigeria’s Apex court, Supreme Court, has put a final seal on the mandate freely given to him by the good people of Kaduna State.
Sen. Uba Sani stated this in a statement he personally signed shortly after the verdict, and hailed his challenger, Hon Isa Hashiru for embracing the legal process which should be emulated by all lovers of democracy.
“The Supreme Court in a unanimous decision today put a final seal on the mandate freely given to me by the good people of Kaduna State. I commend the Honourable Justices of the Supreme Court for their sound judgement.
“I thank my dear brother, Hon. Isa Ashiru for embracing the legal process, and ventilating his grievances. That is the democratic way and must be emulated by all persons and groups who are truly committed to the growth and development of Nigeria’s democracy.
‘With the legal disputations over, it is time for us to join hands to take the Kaduna State to a higher level. We are running a people-centred, inclusive and pro-development administration. Our doors are open to all stakeholders in the Kaduna Project. Any citizen of Kaduna State who has something to contribute will be given an opportunity. It is about the glory of Kaduna State, not personal glory.
“Today’s verdict by the Supreme Court is a reminder to all of us that we were given a mandate to better the lots of our people. Rather than engage in wild celebrations, we must reflect on the challenges ahead and collectively apply ourselves to the tasks at hand. With an abiding faith in the Almighty God, we shall deliver on the SUSTAIN Agenda and make Kaduna State a model of development in Nigeria”, the statement concludes.
It will be recalled that the Supreme Court has upheld the election victory of Uba Sani as the governor of Kaduna State, as it rested the struggle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship candidate, Isa Ashiru.
The dismissal came in response to an appeal filed by the PDP and the governorship candidate, Ashiru.
The court of appeal in Abuja had on November 24, 2023, unanimously affirmed Uba Sani’s election as the governor of Kaduna State.
The PDP and Ashiru contested the outcome of the March 18 governorship election, alleging that Uba was not duly elected by a majority of valid votes and citing corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.
Justice Tijani Abubakar, delivering the lead judgment today, said that the appellant had presented nothing useful to the court.
The appeal was deemed vexatious, frivolous, and lacking in merit. The Supreme Court, therefore, upheld the judgments of the lower courts, confirming Uba Sani duly elected as the governor of Kaduna State.
Msinwhile the National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA) Dr. Adekunle Rufai Omo-Aje said verdicts declared by the Supreme has on various litigations before the apex court has
Validated the will and votes of the greater majority in their respective states
These verdicts according to him represent a triumph of democracy, rule of law, and due process in Nigeria. It reaffirms the sanctity of the ballot as the determining factor for democratic legitimacy.
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Omo-Aje lauds all the opposition candidates in the election for deepening the country’s electoral jurisprudence by testing their complaints at the law court, adding that,”our judicial system has once again proven itself in tackling disputes that arise from our elections”.
