In a dramatic ruling, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has annulled the elections of three state governors over allegations of electoral malpractices. The affected governors, from different regions, were found guilty of voter suppression, ballot box snatching, and vote-buying during the 2023 elections.
Justice Amina Bello, who presided over the cases, declared that the elections did not meet the constitutional standards of credibility and fairness. “Democracy must not be a victim of malpractice. The court stands firm to uphold the integrity of our electoral process,” she said in her judgment.
The ruling has sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with opposition parties celebrating the verdict as a win for democracy. Meanwhile, the affected governors have vowed to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court.
Political analysts say the judgment underscores the judiciary’s independence and could serve as a deterrent to future electoral malpractice. However, tensions remain high in the affected states as preparations for fresh elections begin.
