By Abdulkareem Haruna

Thursday brought a decisive victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, confirmed Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan’s win in the February 25 senatorial election for the Borno Central seat.

The court determined that the appellants, Barrister Mohammed Kumalia and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), failed to provide adequate evidence to justify the election’s nullification.

The three-justice panel, composed of Hon. Justice Abraham Georgewill, Folashade Ojo, and Peter Obiora, upheld Senator Lawan’s official election to represent the Borno Central senatorial district.

The National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal in Borno had previously dismissed the appellants’ petitions on September 8 and confirmed Lawan’s victory, who ran under the APC. Lawan secured 135,043 votes, significantly ahead of Kumalia, who received 63,338 votes.

Despite the outcome, Kumalia and the PDP sought to nullify the election, alleging that the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were tainted by irregularities.

Speaking on the verdict, a satisfied Senator Lawan praised the judiciary for upholding justice. He also suggested that Kumalia retire from politics and refrain from filing unsuccessful petitions.

“I thank God for this victory at the Court of Appeal. I commend the Judiciary for standing by justice,” Lawan stated. He extended his gratitude to various political and community leaders, supporters, and constituents who supported him throughout the judicial process. He pledged to focus on good governance now that the legal distractions were over.

Lawan also criticized his opponent, referring to Kumalia as a “serial petitioner, habitual litigant, and perennial loser.”

He ought not to have engaged in this legal expedition after the lower courts of competent jurisdiction have dismissed his previous suites. But I’ll urge him to accept this final defeat and consider retiring from politics.