North-East

Mr Machina turned down several pleas to cede the position to the Senate President despite his party submitting the name of Mr Lawan as its candidate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Normally, sitting begins by 10am but Wednesday’s session in which the former Speaker tendered his resignation, took place before the official plenary time.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, the apex court said the appeals were dismissed for grossly lacking in merit.

Mr Zulum's new position has punctured repeated claims of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration that no Nigerian territory is under the control of the terror group.

The concluded exercise on Tuesday was monitored and attended by Festus Okoye, National Commissioner for Voter Education of the Commission, following the suspension of Hudu Yunusa, the embattled Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) who illegally announced Ms Binani as winner earlier.

In declaring the results, Ari had usurped the duties and powers of the Returning Officer, Prof Mohammed Mele.

The plea comes amidst moves by Rivers and Lagos States to begin the collection of VAT, bringing the decade-long collection by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to an end.

Justice John Okoro who prepared and read the lead judgement on Wednesday dismissed the appeal by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Aisha Dahiru.

Kabiru Zelani, a rice farmer who has been standing trial since 2015 for stabbing Ardo Ali, a herder to death was sentenced on Tuesday.