Tension In Kano As Supreme Court Delivers Judgment On Gov’ship Election

There is tension in Kano State ahead of the Supreme Court’s final judgment on the governorship election battle.

Supreme Court scheduled Friday, January 12, for the judgment in an appeal lodged by Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, challenging the ruling of the Court of Appeal. Governor Yusuf, elected under the platform of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), was ousted by the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a certificate of return to Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the March 2023 election. Unhappy with the ruling, Governor Yusuf contested it at the Court of Appeal.

While upholding his removal, the appellate court additionally asserted that the governor was not a member of NNPP at the time of the election. Dissatisfied with these decisions, the governor and his party have taken the matter to the Supreme Court, filing an appeal against the previous rulings.

Barrister Bashir Tudun Wuzirci, the secretary of the NNPP’s legal team, confirmed on Wednesday that the apex court has fixed Friday for the ruling. He stated, “Yes, it is officially confirmed. They have told us to appear on Friday for the judgment. They told us that each party should not have more than two counsels in attendance. This, they said, is because they will be delivering seven judgments on that same Friday.”