The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Friday affirmed the tribunal judgment which declared the All Progressive Congress candidate, Nasiru Gawuna winner of the governorship election.
The Tribunal led by Justice Oluyemi Osadebay in September, had nullified the election of Governor Abba Yusuf by declaring 165, 663 of his votes were invalid.
The tribunal held that the ballot papers were not signed nor stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Displeased by the tribunal verdict, Yusuf appealed against the judgment.
However, the Appeal Court on Friday, affirmed the sacking of Abba Yusuf of and declared Nasir Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of Kano Governor election.
Why the court sacked Abba Yusuf
A three-member panel of justices led by Justice Moore A. Adumein, held that Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) was not a registered member of the party and, therefore, not qualified to contest the election.
The panel held that every political party shall maintain the register of its members as provided in Section 77 of the Electoral Act, 2022.
The court said the appellant to his own detriment did not submit his NNPP membership registrar or even tendered his statement on oath regarding his membership of the party.
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The court said the 1999 Constitution made it mandatory for a political party to have a membership register and submit the same to INEC and the Tribunal when needed.
“As rightfully found, Yusuf Abba was not a member of the NNPP at the time he was purportedly sponsored by his party and he was not qualified to contest the March Governorship Election,” Justice Adumein said.
