Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal Declares APC’s Nasiru Gawuna Winner, Sacks Abba Kabir Yusuf
Kano, Nigeria – In a significant turn of events, the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has made a groundbreaking ruling, sacking Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, as the rightful winner of the March 18 election.
The decision comes after a protracted legal battle following the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) initial declaration of Yusuf as the victor of the election back in March. This ruling reshapes the political landscape of Kano State.
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On Wednesday, a three-member panel, having carefully reviewed the petitions and evidence presented, ordered the withdrawal of the certificate of return that INEC had previously awarded to Abba Kabir Yusuf. In its place, the tribunal directed that a certificate of return be issued to Nasiru Gawuna.
One pivotal aspect of this judgment was the deduction of 165,663 votes from Yusuf’s total vote count. The court deemed these votes invalid due to the absence of proper stamping and signatures on the affected ballot papers.
Interestingly, this ruling arrives approximately six months after Nasiru Gawuna, the APC candidate, had graciously conceded defeat to Abba Kabir Yusuf. In a brief two-minute audio statement released on March 29, Gawuna expressed his commitment to accepting the outcome of the election, demonstrating his principles as a “good Muslim.”
In his statement, Gawuna mentioned that his campaign team had initially requested a review of the election results by INEC. However, upon thorough review, the electoral commission reaffirmed Abba Kabir Yusuf as the legitimate winner of the election.
This latest tribunal decision adds a new layer of complexity to the political dynamics in Kano State and sets the stage for potential changes in leadership and governance. As Nasiru Gawuna assumes the mantle of leadership, the focus now shifts to his administration and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Kano State.
