The Supreme Court has set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal that granted five state governors elongation of their tenures based on the time they were sworn-in again after standing for fresh elections,
Those affected are the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris; the Adamawa State Governor, Alhaji Murtala Nyako; the Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva; the Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko; and the Cross Rivers State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke.
The governors had obtained the ruling of the Court of Appeal that since their tenure should be for four years, elections should not hold in their respective states when the general election was conducted last year.
The court said that their tenure of four years begins on the date they were sworn-in.
Not satisfied with the position of the Court of Appeal, the Independent National Electoral Commission went to the Supreme Court to seek further clarification on the issue.
A full panel of the Supreme Court on November 21, 2011 heard the argument of plaintiffs’ lawyers and those of the three amici curiae invited to address it on the issue – Chief Richard Akinjide, Professor Itse Sagay and Chief G.O.K. Ajayi.
Only Akinjide supported the upholding of the decision of the lower court.
The Justices of the Supreme Court this morning aligned with the position of Sagay and Ajayi.
In the judgment still being delivered by the court as at press time, the Supreme Court set aside the ruling of the Court of Appeal.
Justices in the chambers, led by Walter Onoghen are John Fabiyi, Chukwuma Ene, Sylvester Nwuta, Muktar Coomassie and Mary Odili.
As details of how the judgment will be implemented are stated by the court, The Eagle Online will bring you the details.