The Supreme Court upheld the election victory of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, delivering its lead judgment through Justice Ibrahim Saulawa. The court dismissed an appeal filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Sadique Abubakar, challenging the outcome of the gubernatorial election held on March 18, 2023.
The APC contended that Governor Mohammed's victory, representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was invalid, citing alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022 and improper filling of electoral documents.
Despite appeals to the Bauchi State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, both lower courts upheld Governor Mohammed's win. Dissatisfied, Abubakar took the case to the Supreme Court, arguing that his case and the exhibits presented were not adequately evaluated.
However, the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision led by Justice Inyang Okoro, dismissed the appeal for lack of merit, upholding the judgments of the lower courts and settling the contentious issues raised by the appellants.
