Kano – Today, Wednesday, September 20, the Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal is set to deliver its judgment regarding the petition filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC is contesting the victory of Governor Abba Yusuf from the New Nigeria People Party (NNPP) in the election that took place on March 18.
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the NNPP secured a total of 1,019,602 votes, triumphing over the APC and its candidate, Nasir Gawuna, who garnered 890,705 votes. This resulted in a winning margin of 128,897 votes in favour of the NNPP candidate.
Photo credits: Abba Kabir Yusuf, Bashir Ahmad
Source: Facebook
Displeased, the APC filed a petition at the tribunal to challenge the results declared by the electoral body.
Follow Legit.ng provides live updates of the judgment proceedings.
Tribunal rules in favour of INEC’s PO
On the second Preliminary Objection by INEC that the issue of sponsorship and membership of Governor Yusuf is an internal affair of the party, the tribunal ruled in favour of the electoral body.
However, the tribunal dismissed INEC’s Preliminary Objection challenging the petition on the grounds that Yusuf Gawuna, the APC candidate, was not joined in the case.
Judgment via zoom: Judges absent in court
As earlier reported, note that the judges of the Kano governorship election tribunal are not physically in court.
Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, the chairman of the three-member panel, is speaking via Zoom.
Read more details here.
Kano tribunal venue: Only 50 people allowed entry, says police commissioner
Kano state Commissioner of Police, Gumel says only 50 people were given access to the court.
Read the details here.
Bashir Ahmad speaks amid delivery of tribunal judgment
A former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has urged Kano residents to accept the outcome of the tribunal in good faith as the proceedings are ongoing.
His words:
“Today, as we await the judgment from the Kano Tribunal, it is crucial that we, as responsible and good citizens, commit ourselves to accepting the outcome with good faith, regardless of the result.
“Kano is not just a geographical location; it is our home, our state, and the place we all call ours. It is in the best interest of Kano and its people that we maintain unity and harmony, regardless of any political outcome. JALLA BABBAR HAUSA!
“Kano, our beloved state, deserves nothing less.”
On INEC’s defence
The INEC’s preliminary objection is challenging the petition on the grounds that the language used did not comply with the Electoral Act.
However, the tribunal has dismissed this.
It agreed with APC that there was substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.
Judgment begins: Tribunal determining preliminary objections
The Tribunal is now determining the preliminary objections as the judgment proceedings finally begin.
Flashback: How Governor Yusuf sacked commissioner because of tribunal
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state sacked Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Adamu Kibiya for threatening tribunal judges.
The Commissioner of Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, disclosed this while addressing journalists at Government House, Kano, on Friday, September 15.
Read the details here.
Kano police commissioner speaks
The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Muhammed Gumel, has listed the categories of people who will be allowed into the court premises.
- Court officials
- Lawyers
- Party members
- Journalists.
Judges no where to be found
The judges have not been sighted. The set-up, according to Daily Trust, suggests the judgement proceedings will be done via Zoom.
Top security officers were also cited as saying they don’t know the whereabouts of the judges.
Kano tribunal judgment: Shehu Sani drops cryptic prediction
Meanwhile, as we await the commencement of the judgment proceedings, Senator Shehu Sani, a PDP chieftain, has dropped on cryptic prediction.
“Kano’s tomorrow’s match verdict will favour Liverpool and not Chelsea,” Sani posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, September 19.
Kano tribunal: No live broadcast
Unlike what happened during the delivery of the judgement of the presidential election tribunal, the Kano state tribunal has said there will be no live broadcast of the judgment.
