The Supreme Court has scheduled Thursday for the hearing of the appeal in the Kano State governorship dispute, where Governor Kabir Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) contests the Appeal Court’s decision upholding the tribunal’s verdict that ousted him. The tribunal declared Dr Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 11 governorship poll.
Barrister Bashir Tudun Waziri, the counsel for Governor Yusuf, confirmed that the legal team received the hearing notice. The Appeal Court’s three-member panel had earlier dismissed the appeal, citing Governor Yusuf’s alleged non-membership in the NNPP during the gubernatorial election. However, a conflicting order in a Certified True Copy of the judgement has added complexity to the case.
In the lead judgement by Justice Moore Adumein, conflicting statements were found on Page 68, concluding, “I will conclude by stating that the live issues in this appeal are hereby resolved in favour of the 1st respondent and against the appellant.” Both the APC and NNPP interpreted the judgement as affirming their victory.
The NNPP, dissatisfied with the Appeal Court decision, filed an appeal before the Supreme Court, challenging the upheld decision of the governorship election petition tribunal. Counsel for the appellant, Gboyega Awomolo, SAN, listed 10 grounds for challenging the appeal, focusing on contesting the entire judgment of the Court of Appeal except for specific conclusions and orders on Page 67 of the Certified True Copy.
