Supreme Court reinstates NNPP’s Abba Yusuf as Kano governor

The Supreme Court has declared Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) the rightful governor of Kano state, overturning the previous decisions of both the Court of Appeal and the Election Petitions Tribunal, which had previously removed Mr Yusuf from office.

Justice John Okoro delivered the verdict on behalf of the Supreme Court, nullifying the lower courts’ judgments that favoured Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

These earlier rulings had stripped Mr Yusuf of his governorship and awarded the position to Gawuna.

The legal battle started when the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal ousted Mr Yusuf, prompting an appeal to the court of appeal. Despite the appellate court’s affirmation of his dismissal, it added a crucial dimension, questioning Yusuf’s party membership status during the election sponsorship process.

Today’s Supreme Court decision settles the matter, and marks a significant victory for the NNPP, as Kano is the only governorship seat the party holds.

Lagos and Bauchi

The Supreme Court also on Friday upheld the election of Bala Mohammed as governor of Bauchi state, and Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos.

In the case of Lagos state, the court dismissed the appeal of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour of the Labour Party saying it lacked merit.

Justice Garba Lawal read the lead judgement, which was unanimously affirmed by Justices Inyang Okoro, Emmanuel Agim, Uwani Abba-aji, and Adamu Jauro.

They said the petition was a gross abuse of court process.

Mr Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress defeated the candidates of the LP, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and PDP’s Azeez Adediran, to win the governorship election.

Displeased with the outcome of the election, the LP and PDP candidates challenged Mr Sanwo-Olu’s victory at the tribunal.