The Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld the tribunal judgment, confirming Nasiru Gawuna, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the governor of Kano State. Justice Moore Adumein, delivering the unanimous judgment, ruled that Abba Yusuf, the former governor, was not qualified to contest the election, affirming Gawuna’s victory.
The election dispute arose after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initially declared Yusuf as the winner, securing 1,019,602 votes against Gawuna’s 890,705 votes. The APC challenged the result, citing electoral malpractice. The tribunal nullified Yusuf’s victory, reducing his votes to 853,939.
The court held that Yusuf’s membership claim lacked credibility, highlighting that sponsorship without membership rendered his candidacy invalid. The ruling also criticised political parties for blaming the judiciary for their losses.
In response, the APC praised the judiciary’s decision, emphasizing the court’s role in upholding justice. APC leaders commended the ruling, hailing it as a victory for democracy.
However, the NNPP, Yusuf’s party, expressed dissatisfaction, describing the judgment as a threat to democracy. Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa of the NNPP in Kano State criticized the court’s decision, questioning the validity of the verdict and its impact on democracy.
In another reaction, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam, the NNPP’s Founder, declared the court’s ruling a shock, asserting that only the party could determine its members.
The judgment sets Nasiru Gawuna as the confirmed governor of Kano State, marking a pivotal decision in the state’s political landscape. As the legal battle continues, the parties involved express varying degrees of confidence and disappointment regarding the outcome.
