On Wednesday, the Senate administered the oath of office to Amos Yohanna, the new Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, conducted the swearing-in ceremony.
Yohanna, a member of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), assumes the position, succeeding Abbo, who was removed by the Appeal Court the previous week. Abbo was a member of the All-Progressives Congress (APC).
The Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered the judgment, which compelled Abbo's removal. A three-member panel, with Justice C.E. Nwosu-Iheme presiding, directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a Certificate of Return to Yohanna as the duly elected representative of the Adamawa North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
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This ruling overturned the earlier decision by the tribunal, which had upheld Abbo's victory as the senatorial election winner. INEC had initially declared Abbo the winner of the parliamentary election held on February 25, 2023. Discontented with this outcome, the PDP and Yohanna had lodged a petition with the tribunal to challenge the results.
The tribunal, however, had dismissed Yohanna's petition, finding it lacking in merit. Unsatisfied with this verdict, the PDP candidate, represented by his counsel, Johnson Usman, SAN, took the case to the Appeal Court. The Court of Appeal, after hearing arguments from both sides, concurred with Usman's argument, citing Section 137 of the Electoral Act, 2022, to highlight a lack of compliance with the Electoral Act. Consequently, the court deducted the invalid votes from both parties and declared Yohanna and the PDP as the winners based on the majority of lawful votes.
Following this judgment, Senator Abbo expressed his discontent, labelling it a blow to democracy. However, he urged his supporters to remain calm.
