The year 2023 was a defining one for some Nigerian politicians. On February 25 and March 11, some lost at the polls, while others won. On May 29, inaugurations took place nationwide and the winners took power.

What followed the inauguration were tribunal court cases and the sack of three state governors and legislators.

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ABBA YUSUF

On September 20, Abba Yusuf, the Governor of Kano State, was sacked by the Kano State Gubernatorial Election Petition Tribunal.

Yusuf Gawuna, Abba’s opponent and candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), had petitioned the tribunal against him, stating that he was not a registered member of his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) at the time he ran for office, among others.

The Court of Appeal upheld the tribunal’s judgement on November 17, stating that Abba was not a registered member of the NNPP.

However, on December 21, the Supreme Court reserved judgement on the case after dismissing arguments that Abba’s victory margin was not valid and his registration as a member of the NNPP was an internal matter.

CALEB MUFTWANG – PLATEAU STATE

On November 19, nearly two months after Abba Yusuf was sacked from his seat as the Governor of Kano State, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja also dismissed Caleb Muftwang, Governor of Plateau State’s election victory.

The court stated that Muftwang, a candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), was not properly nominated by his political party and there was non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the election.

This ruling was made in line with the petition submitted by Nentawe Goshwe of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Muftwang’s opponent. The court also ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to issue a new certificate of return to Goshwe.

Goshwe’s petition was first dismissed by the tribunal before he appealed the lower court’s judgement at the Court of Appeal.

DAUDA LAWAL

Dauda Lawal, Governor of Zamfara State, was sacked by an Abuja court on November 16.

Bello Mattawale, the state’s immediate past governor and APC candidate, first filed a petition against him at the tribunal, which was dismissed, and then at the Court of Appeal, which proclaimed the sack.

The court also ordered a rerun election in three local government areas, namely: Maradun, Birnin Magaji and Bukuyun.

These governors are, however, still in power awaiting the final determination of their fate by the Supreme Court.