The last may not have been heard about post-election cases in many states as the fate of no fewer than 13 governors depends on the outcome of lawsuits challenging their electoral victory at the Supreme Court.

The affected states where the Court of Appeal judgments are being challenged by the opposition candidates in the March 18 governorship election include Kano, Plateau, Abia, Delta, Cross River, Rivers, Lagos, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Benue, Akwa Ibom, Taraba and Bauchi.

Teams of lawyers representing some of the aggrieved parties in the affected states have formally filed their processes in court as at last Friday while others who had vowed to approach the Supreme Court are expected to file their papers during the week at the registry of the court.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, is also expected to empanel justices to hear the cases soon.

This is the last stage of the battle for the governors’ seats across the states where elections were held on March 18.

In essence, any governor who loses the case at the Supreme Court has to vacate office.

This is unlike the outcomes of the election dispute cases at the lower courts (election petition tribunal and the Court of Appeal) which permitted the governors to stay in office regardless of whether they won or lost.

The Supreme Court decision on appeals arising from the decision of the lower courts on gubernatorial elections in the country is final.

Between 1999 when the Fourth Republic birthed and 2019, not less than eight sitting governors whose elections were challenged to the Supreme Court were removed from office by the apex bench.

"13 govs face uncertain fate as opposition candidates drag them to Supreme Court - Vanguard News" https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/12/13-govs-face-uncertain-fate-as-opposition-candidates-drag-them-to-supreme-court/amp/