Appeal Court Delays Verdict in Kano Governorship Dispute, Ousts APC Legislator

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has deferred its decision on the appeal made by Abba Yusuf, the former Kano State governor, challenging his removal from office by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in the state.

Additionally, the appellate court has ruled against Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, a member of the House of Representatives from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and reinstated Yusuf Umar Datti of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency seat in Kano State.

The original verdict by the Election Petitions Tribunal, which removed the governor from office, was based on the discovery that certain ballot papers lacked the signatures and stamps of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Subsequently, it declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, as the legitimate winner of the Kano governorship election.

Dissatisfied with this decision, Abba Yusuf appealed the Tribunal's judgment and implored the Appeal Court to overturn it.

After hearing arguments from all involved parties, the Appeal Court has now chosen to reserve judgment in the gubernatorial case.

Regarding the federal constituency seat, a three-judge panel led by Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awotoye upheld Datti's appeal from the NNPP, deeming it meritorious.

The panel also criticized the tribunal's decision to consider the date of the appellant's resignation as the same date as his party primary, contending that Section 77 of the Electoral Act was wrongly applied. It asserted that the issue of political party membership is an internal matter beyond the jurisdiction of any court.