Tenure: Judgment day for Nyako, Idris, others

Written by The Punch Friday, 27 January 2012

Five state governors will today know their fate as the Supreme Court decides whether their tenure will extend beyond four years regardless of a re-run election.

The affected governors are Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State, Aliyu Wammakko of sokoto, Liyel Imoke of Cross River and Timipre Sylva of Bayelsa State.

The issue for determination before the apex court is “which is the extant Oath of Office and Allegiance: that of May 29, 2007 or the fresh Oath which the five affected governors took at various times in 2008.

Going by their fresh oaths, Nyako started his tenure 30 April 2008, Idris on 5 April 2008, Wammakko on 28 May 2008, Liyel Imoke on 28 August 2008 and Timipre Sylva on 29 May 2008 rather than 29 May 2007.

Due to the constitutional importance of the case three eminent lawyers were invited as amicus curiae (friend of the Court) by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Dahiru Musdapher to espouse the law.  They are: Professor Itse Sagey (SAN), Dr. Konyinsola Ajayi (SAN) and Chief Richard Akinjide (SAN) who gave their legal opinion to help the apex court decide the case.