The Supreme Court has validated the election of Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya from the APC as the Governor of Gombe State. In a unanimous decision, a panel of five judges at the apex court dismissed the appeal brought by Jibrin Mohammed Barde, the former PDP candidate in the recent governorship election in the state.

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, delivering the lead judgment, endorsed the consistent rulings of the Court of Appeal and the Gombe State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, both of which concluded that the appellants’ case against the election lacked merit.

The court emphasized that the judgments of the lower courts were not deemed perverse enough to warrant being set aside. The Court of Appeal in the Abuja Division had earlier on November 23, 2023, dismissed the appeal, aligning itself with the tribunal’s position that rejected the PDP’s argument regarding Governor Yahaya’s eligibility.

The appellate court also dismissed the appellants’ claim that the election was riddled with irregularities and did not comply substantially with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022. The tribunal had previously asserted that the petitioners failed to establish their allegations through credible evidence, deeming them nebulous, lacking in particularity, baseless, and essentially an academic exercise.

In maintaining the tribunal’s decision, the appellate court affirmed that the evidence presented demonstrated that Governor Yahaya secured the majority of valid votes, validating his victory in the election.