In a landmark judgement this afternoon, the Supreme Court ruled that former governor Peter Obi of Anambra State should go back to the Government House as governor of the state till March 17, 2010. The court also ordered that the incumbent Governor, Cheif Andy Uba, should vacate office as he ceases to be governor as from today. In the lead judgement, Justice Katsina Alu said INEC erred in law by conducting election in Anambra State when Peter Obi has not served his four-year term.

The court ruled that the four year tenure of Obi commenced from the day he was sworn in and will terminate on 17 March 2010.

All the six justices of the apex agreed with the lead judgement. They all agreed that a governor should only vacate office four years from the day of assuming office.

They said Obi had not served the constitutionally stipulated four years in office. The Supreme Court justices said a fuller explanations of the judgement will be given on 13 July, 2007.

Obi was not in court but his deputy Dame Virginia Etiaba was in court.

As at the time of filing this report, there was jubilation in Abuja by supporters of Obi in court.

In the second case involving former Governor Rasheed Ladoja of Oyo State who also sought an extension of his tenure, due to his impeachment, the apex court referred the matter to the high court for adjudication.