This is the final legal terminus in the Kogi State governorship election tussle. The Supreme Court Tuesday validated the election of Mr. Yahaya Bello as governor of Kogi State, throwing out the claim of James Faleke that he was the rightful candidate for the position. Faleke was running mate to the late Abubakar Audu whose election was returned inconclusive by INEC.
The Justice Sylvester Ngwata-led seven-man panel unanimously upheld the election after listening to the closing statements of all the counsels. It has however set aside September 30, 2016 as the date it would give reasons for its ruling.
The ruling triggered wild jubilation among supporters of Bello right from the Supreme Court premises all the way to the State’s Abuja Liaison office. Reports from Lokoja also suggest wild jubilation in the streets and the Government House. Supporters of Bello had moved en masse to Abuja since Sunday ahead of the verdict.
