Taraba APC guber: S/Court nullifies Bwacha’s candidacy

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Supreme Court Abuja, has nullified the election of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as the gubernatorial candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) for Taraba state in the 2023 elections.
The lead judge, Justice Adamu Jauro affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court Jalingo, that nullified the election of Bwacha as the APC governorship candidate in the state.
Also, the Apex Court set aside, the judgement of the Court of Appeal, Yola Division, which had on November 24, 2022, reinstated Emmanuel Bwacha as governorship candidate of the APC, for the election.
In it’s ruling, the five-man panel of the Supreme Court upheld the judgement of the trial court which held that there was no valid APC Primary elections conducted in Taraba state and had ordered for a fresh primary election within 14 days.
The Court agreed that the results of the primary election were purported and fraudulently allocated to the candidate.
The Apex court said “the appeal is allowed and parties bear their respective cost”
Recalled that, the Court of Appeal, Yola division had reinstated Senator Emmanuel Bwacha as the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba state.
In a unanimous decision, the three-man panel led by Justice Tani Yusuf Hassan set aside the judgment of the trial court and ruled in favour of Bwacha.
A Federal High Court sitting in Jalingo, Taraba State capital had nullified the election of Bwacha as the APC governorship candidate in the state.
The court also ordered that a fresh primary election should be conducted by the party to elect a new governorship candidate.
The High Court ruling followed a petition filed before the court by one of the aspirants, David Sabo Kente.
Kente had told the court that no governorship primary election was held in Taraba. Justice Simon Amobeda subsequently nullified Bwacha’s election and ordered a fresh primary within 14 days.
The judge also ordered the electoral commission, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to stop recognizing of Bwacha as the candidate of the party.
Reacting to the Judgment in an interview, the appellant who was also an aspirant Mr. David Kente described it as land mark judgment that brought hope to the people of Taraba state.