Supreme Court upholds Ishaku’s election

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the election of Darius Ishaku as the duly elected governor of Taraba State, thereby upholding the verdict of the Court of Appeal which had earlier ruled in favour of the governor on December 31, 2015.

However, the court said it will explain reasons for its decision  on February 22.

Ishaku’s victory at the poll was nullified by the Taraba State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on November 7, 2015 and declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Jumai Alhassan as the duly elected governor of the state.

The tribunal’s ruling sparked off crisis in the state, which led to loss of lives and properties, there had been an atmosphere of peace and tranquility in Taraba since the Appeal Court ruling, although the security operatives have not stepped down their operations.

The APC candidate, after losing at the the appellate court approached the Supreme Court for an appeal.

“I am of the firm view that there is no merit in this appeal and it is hereby dismissed. The Judgment of the ‎Court of Appeal is affirmed and the election of governor Darius Ishaku is hereby upheld”, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour who delivered the lead verdict said.