The supreme court has nullified the nomination of Emmanuel Bwacha as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba state.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, a five-member panel led by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun affirmed the verdict of the federal high court which held that the APC did not conduct any valid governorship primary in the state.
After the judgment, the Bwacha Gubernatorial Campaign Council urged supporters and the public to remain calm.
In a statement issued in Jalingo by the Director Media and Publicity of the Campaign Council, Aaron Arthimas, the team described the judgement then as a temporary setback
“We are not unaware of the ruling of the Federal High Court Jalingo, nullifying the APC Gubernatorial Primaries in Taraba State.
“However, the council calls on all our teaming supporters to remain calm as the development is only a temporary setback.
“The Bwacha Gubernatorial Campaign Council hereby assures everyone that our campaign is open to any option to be decided by the party.
“The National Executive Committee of the party remains the organ empowered by the constitution and the Electoral Act to present candidates for election into various offices.
“While awaiting the decision of NEC of the party, our team of Lawyers will study the judgement after the receipt of the hard copy before deciding on the next line of action,” the statement read.
In September 2022, a federal high court in Jalingo, Taraba state, sacked Bwacha as the APC’s governorship candidate.
David Sabo Kente, one of the aspirants, had filed the suit against Bwacha’s candidature.
Simon Amobeda, the high court judge, had agreed with the plaintiff that no governorship primary was held in Taraba.
The judge condemned the false declaration of results at Danbaba Suntai airport in Jalingo by the returning officer who later reportedly left the country on a private jet.
The judge ordered that a fresh primary should be conducted within 14 days.
However, on November 24, the court of appeal in Yola set aside the judgment of the trial court which sacked Bwacha.
But Kente, through his counsel, Kanu Agabi, filed an appeal before the supreme court.
In its judgment, the apex court held that the court of appeal was wrong to have set aside the decision of the trial court.
Consequently, the apex court allowed the appeal setting aside the judgment of the court of appeal.
