BREAKING: S’Court affirms Abba as Kano Gov
By Faith Awa Maji
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has certified the election of Abba Yusuf as dully elected Governor of Kano State in the March 18 governorship poll.
A five-member panel of the apex court held that the tribunal and the court of appeal erred by sacking Yusuf, candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), as Governor of the State.
Supreme Court had last December reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf challenging the verdict of the Court of Appeal and the State Election Petitions Tribunal, which removed him from office.
The five-member panel led by Justice John Okoro reserved judgment after the parties adopted their brief of arguments canvassed for and against the appeal.
In September, the Kano Governorship Election Tribunal had nullified the victory of Yusuf, candidate of the New Nigeria’s Peoples Party (NNPP) and affirmed Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor.
On November 13, the Court of Appeal upheld the verdict of the tribunal. In its ruling, it agreed with the judgment of the tribunal, ruling that the fielding of Yusuf was in breach of the Electoral Law as he was not qualified to contest the election. But the Governor proceeded to the Supreme Court to seek redress.
