Appeal Court Upholds Gov Nwifuru’s Election

The Appeal court sitting in Lagos state has affirmed the election of Governor, Francis Nwifuru describing him as authentic winner of the governorship election held in the State.

In a judgement of the court of Appeal involving Ifeanyichukwu Odii &Anor v. INEC &ORS CA/ABJ/EP/EB/GOV/109/2022, the Appeal court dismissed the petition brought against Governor Nwifuru by Chief Ifeanyichukwuma Odii for lacking in merit by a majority judgment of two justices of the court.

It was affirmed that the question relating to membership of a political party is a pre-election domestic affair of each political party, which no court has jurisdiction to determine because it’s non-justiceable.

“The question as to whether the 2nd Respondent, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, is a member of the PDP or of the APC is a pre-election issue out of purview of the Election Petition Tribunal and is non-justiceable.

“The judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal on the party membership of Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is, therefore, in order and is upheld. “The Appellants (Ifeanyi & PDP) failed to prove that the election was invalid and that Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru was not validly elected and returned as the winner of the election.

“The judgment of the Election Petition Tribunal is affirmed. The election of Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru is affirmed.

The court is also expected to deliver judgement between Prof Ifeanyi Benard Odo and Governor Nwifuru which borders on party membership.