The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the election of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State. The unanimous ruling by a three-member panel of justices held that Governor Yusuf was not a valid candidate in the gubernatorial election that took place on March 18.
The court stated that evidence presented by the parties convincingly established that Governor Yusuf was not a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) at the time of the election. This crucial factor, the court maintained, made Yusuf ineligible to contest the governorship election under section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, since he was not validly sponsored by the NNPP.
Justice M. U. Adumeh, delivering the lead judgement, stated, “A person must be a member of a political party before he can be sponsored for an election. Sponsorship without membership is like putting something on nothing.”
The Police command in Kano state Monday alerted the public of plans by those they claim are supporters of unnamed political parties to cause violence in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the group’s plan to take to the streets to protest the Appeal Court’s verdict on the governorship election in the state.
He said the command had taken appropriate security measures to prevent an escalation of tensions that may lead to a breakdown of law and order.
“It is on this note that the police command issues this warning to residents of the state to be extra careful as whoever intends to conduct any protest or procession should do so in accordance with the provisions of the law,” Kiyawa said.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, has urged residents to be calm and avoid any form of unlawful gathering, protest or procession that may trigger violence.
The spokesperson said joint security teams have been deployed to strategic locations to safeguard peace and order throughout the state.
“Whoever attempts to disrupt the peace in the state will be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law,” he added.
He also urged residents to report any suspicious movement, persons or items to security agents for prompt response.
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