S’court verdict: Let’s work for progress of Gombe, Inuwa Yahaya tells opposition

Inuwa Yahaya, governor of Gombe, has called on the opposition to work with him for the progress of the state.

On Friday, the supreme court affirmed Yahaya’s re-election as the governor of Gombe.

A five-member panel of the court led by Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, held that the appeal filed by Jibrin Barde, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lacked merit.

Affirming the verdict of the court of appeal which upheld Yahaya’s victory, Kekere-Ekun ruled that the concurrent findings were not shown to be perverse enough to warrant being set aside.

Yahaya was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election after he scored 342,821 votes to defeat Barde who polled 233,131 votes.

Reacting to the verdict of the apex court, Yahaya in a statement by Ismaila Uba-Misilli, his media aide, said Gombe belongs to everyone and urged members of the opposition, especially those who pursued different cases at courts to join him in developing the state.

“Gombe is not owned by any individual or party. Regardless of any differences, it belongs to all of us,” NAN quoted Yayaha as saying.

“In the spirit of unity and progress, I urge all members of the opposition to join us in the challenging task of working for greater Gombe.

“As the legal battle concludes, there are no winners or losers; let us work together for the progress and prosperity of our dear state.

“Let me on behalf of myself, the deputy governor, members of my government and the entire APC family, express our gratitude to the people of Gombe state for their prayers and steadfast support.”