BENJAMIN OMOIKE
NIGERIA: Leading New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, gubernatorial aspirant in Edo State, Peter Okoeguale, has congratulated Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on his victory at the Supreme Court.
On Friday, the supreme Court Affirmed Abba Yusuf’s victory as Kano Governor, floors APC’s Gawuna in what could be described as an epic battle.
The Supreme Court set aside the verdicts of the Court of Appeal and election petitions tribunal, which nullified Yusuf’s victory in the March 18, 2023 governorship poll.
Judgment was delivered by Justice John Okoro.
The Kano helmsman and his party, NNPP, had filed an appeal against the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed his sacking as earlier pronounced by the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
The tribunal had sacked Yusuf and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw his certificate of return and instead issue same to to Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.
However, not satisfied with the Tribunal judgment, Yusuf had approached the Appeal Court. But the appellate court had while affirming his sack, further held that the governor was not a member of the party as of the time of the election and could not have been said to have been properly sponsored for the election.
Okoeguale, who is gearing up for the party’s primaries in Edo in February, stated that the Supreme Court indeed did the right thing by ensuring that justice is served in the matter. He equally stressed that by this decision, a breakdown of law and order in the state has been averted, as the there was so much tension in Kano prior to the decision of the court.
He lauded the Supreme Court ruling reinstating Alhaji Abba Yusuf as governor of Kano, saying it is a well deserved victory.
“The apex court had reaffirmed that only the electorate determine who rule people. The Supreme Court has done justices to the governorship election petitions; we give glory to almighty God for this overwhelming and unanimous decision of the highest court in the land.
“For some of us, we are extremely surprised by the decisions of the two lower courts for the miscarriage of justices but the Justice Okoro-led five man panel has done justice to this case.
“In his ruling, he also scolded the lower courts for what he described as a voyage of discovery on the membership of Gov. Abba Yusuf to NNPP. Ordinarily, it is a matter for political parties to determine who their members are.
“The good people of this country and, particularly voters in Kano state, knew who they voted for and who deserved to be their governor,” Okoeguale said.
Yusuf reacts to Supreme Court verdict
Meanwhile, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has reacted to the Supreme Court verdict that affirmed him as governor, saying he feels extremely happy.
Briefing reporters at the premises of the apex court on Friday in Abuja, the governor said the apex court declared that there is no illegality regarding the Kano State governorship election, reports News Express.
According to him, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said the contentious 165,616 ballot papers were issued by them.
“I am extremely happy with the judgement of the Supreme Court that took place today, January 12, 2024. I feel extremely happy, as you can see, so many people are happy and cheering,” he stated.
Kano erupts in celebration
In the same vein, the city of Kano has erupted in celebrations after the Supreme Court reversed judgements by the Court of Appeal and Election Petitions Tribunal sacking Governor Abba Yusuf.
Some of the residents were seen marching around the streets of the state capital, jumping in joy and singing praises of the governor.
Delivering judgement on Friday, the Justice John Okoro, who led the panel, said the Court of Appeal was wrong in affirming the decision of the tribunal, which held that Yusuf did not win the majority of lawful votes cast in the governorship election of March 18, 2023.
In determining the case, the apex court raised two issues: whether the lower court was right in deducting 165,616 from the votes the Independent National Electoral Commission announced for the governor and whether the lower court could determine the issue of party membership.
In the judgement, Justice Okoro held that the tribunal was wrong in deducting 165,616 votes accrued to Yusuf in the election on grounds that the ballot papers were not signed and stamped by officials of INEC.
According to him, Section 71 of the Electoral Act relied upon by the tribunal to deduct the disputed votes does not apply in the instant case.
