The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Friday affirmed the tribunal judgment which declared the All Progressive Congress candidate, Nasiru Gawuna winner of the governorship election.
The tribunal led by Justice Oluyemi Osadebay had nullified the election of Governor Abba Yusuf by declaring 165, 663 of his votes were invalid.
The tribunal held that the ballot papers were not signed nor stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Displeased by the tribunal verdict, Yusuf appealed against the judgment.
In a landmark decision, the Appeal Court has upheld the ruling of the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, reinstating Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful governor of Kano State.
The tribunal had earlier ruled in favor of Gawuna, nullifying the election of Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and declaring Gawuna the winner.
The Appeal Court’s decision is a significant victory for Gawuna and the APC, and it brings to an end a long and bitter legal battle. The NNPP has vowed to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court, but for now, Gawuna is back in control of Kano State.
Victory boost for APC
Gawuna’s victory is a major boost for the APC, which has lost ground in recent elections. The party had been hoping for a victory in Kano State, and Gawuna’s reinstatement is a welcome development.
The APC is now in control of 20 of Nigeria’s 36 states, and Gawuna’s victory will likely strengthen the party’s position ahead of the 2027 general elections.
NNPP plans to appeal
The NNPP has vowed to appeal the Appeal Court’s decision to the Supreme Court. The party has argued that the tribunal’s ruling was flawed and that Yusuf was the rightful winner of the election.
However, legal experts believe that the NNPP is facing an uphill battle. The Supreme Court rarely overturns decisions made by lower courts, and the NNPP will need to provide strong evidence to convince the justices to overturn Gawuna’s victory.
What next for Kano?
Gawuna’s reinstatement is a major development in Kano State’s political landscape. The state has been through a turbulent period in recent years, and Gawuna will need to work hard to unite the people and restore stability.
Gawuna has promised to focus on improving the lives of Kano State residents, and he has pledged to address the state’s many challenges, including poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.
The people of Kano State will be watching closely to see how Gawuna governs. The next few years will be critical for Kano State, and Gawuna’s leadership will be crucial in determining the state’s future.
