The appeal filed by New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governor Abba Yusuf against the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal’s decision, which recognised APC candidate Nasiru Gawuna as the legitimate winner of the State’s March 18 governorship election, has been scheduled for hearing by the Court of Appeal, located in Abuja, on Friday, November 17, 2023.
A senior Kano State government official stated that the development has been formally informed to all parties involved by the Appellate court.
Remember that on September 20, 2023, a three-person Election Tribunal panel led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay dismissed Yusuf, ruling that 165,663 of his votes were void due to the ballots’ “inability to be signed or stamped by INEC.”
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The tribunal’s decision was seen by Yusuf to be “unfair” and “a miscarriage of justice.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the opposition APC, and Governor Yusuf and his party, the NNPP, are parties to the lawsuit.
In the meantime, in order to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order, the Kano State Police Command has already increased the state’s security level by stationing additional officers in key locations throughout the state capital.
Political meetings have also been outlawed by the police, who have also issued an alert regarding possible “preparation for violent processions, protests, or celebrations that may trigger reactions.”
Usaini Gumel, the Police Commissioner, cautioned citizens against making rash statements or participating in violent protests or celebrations that would cause repercussions in the business centre. Gumel also assured people of sufficient security both before and after the ruling.
