The Supreme Court has officially scheduled Friday, January 12, 2024, for the much-anticipated judgement in the Kano State governorship election appeal. Additionally, the apex court is expected to deliver judgements in six other governorship disputes on the same day, barring any unforeseen changes.
The judgements involve election cases from Plateau, Delta, and Abia states, all of which the Supreme Court had previously reserved for a later date. Barrister Bashir Tudun Wuzirci, the secretary of the legal team representing the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), confirmed the development to online news source Newspoint Nigeria on Wednesday night.
According to Wuzirci, the Supreme Court has instructed each party involved to limit their legal representation to no more than two counsels during the proceedings. This directive is in consideration of the seven judgements set to be delivered on Friday.
The Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and his party, NNPP, initiated the appeal following the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of his removal, as initially declared by the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal. The Tribunal had ruled in favor of Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw Yusuf’s certificate of return and issue it to Gawuna.
Governor Yusuf contested the Tribunal’s decision at the Court of Appeal, which not only upheld his removal but also asserted that he was not a member of the party at the time of the election, challenging the legitimacy of his candidacy. The upcoming Supreme Court judgement will provide a final resolution to this protracted legal battle.
