The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja yesterday dismissed the appeal filed by the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State and its governorship candidate, former Governor Mohammed Abubakar, against Gov. Bala Mohammed, of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP).
Recall that the Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Bauchi, had on 7th October 2019 dismissed the petition of the APC and its candidate in the election and affirmed the victory of Sen. Bala Mohammed as the duly elected Governor of Bauchi State.
Dissatisfied with the tribunals judgement, the APC approached the higher court asking it to set aside the lower Courts judgment and declare its candidate, Abubakar, as the duly elected Governor.
Delivering judgement yesterday, the 5-man panel dismissed all the four grounds of the appeal filed by the APC and its defeated candidate in the election. Reading the judgement, Justice O. A Otisi held that all the grounds of appeal filed before the court by the appellants lacked merit and thereby dismissed them.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the judgement, Counsel for the Bauchi State governor, Chris Uche, hailed the judgement saying it was a victory for democracy. He also described it as a reconfirmation and ratification of Bala Mohammeds victory.
Immediately after the judgement, there was wild jubilation by supporters of the governor and the PDP which caused serious traffic gridlock on the Yakubu Gowon Highway in the city centre.
