In a decisive verdict, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the Tribunal’s earlier decision, confirming Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner of the Kano State governorship election held on March 18, 2023.
The Tribunal, in a landmark judgment on September 20, 2023, nullified the victory of Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP). The Tribunal determined that a significant portion of Yusuf’s votes—165,663 to be exact—was invalid. This decision was grounded in the observation that the ballot papers “were not signed or stamped by INEC.”
The ruling by the Appeal Court introduces another critical element to the electoral dispute. The three-member panel asserted that Abba Yusuf was fundamentally unqualified to run for the governorship in the first place. Their reasoning hinged on the fact that Yusuf was not a member of the NNPP when the election took place.
This legal affirmation not only secures Nasiru Gawuna’s position as the legitimate Kano State Governor but also casts a shadow over the candidacy of Abba Yusuf. The legal intricacies of party affiliation during the election further underline the complexity of the electoral process.
This development marks a significant chapter in the aftermath of the Kano State governorship election, defining the political landscape with the decisive legal clarity provided by the Court of Appeal. But the matter may be taken further to the Supreme Court for final adjudication.
