In a significant turn of events, the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has rendered its verdict, ousting Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from office and declaring Nasir Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner of the March 18 election.
Governor Yusuf, who had clinched victory on the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saw his win challenged when his APC rival, Nasir Gawuna, extended his congratulations while simultaneously heading to court.
Today, a three-man panel handed down the momentous decision, instructing the immediate withdrawal of the certificate of return previously bestowed upon Governor Yusuf by INEC. In its place, a certificate of return was directed to be issued to Nasir Gawuna.
One of the key determinants of this verdict was the invalidation of a significant number of votes, totaling 165,663, from Governor Yusuf’s overall tally. The court deemed these ballots invalid because they lacked the necessary stamping and signatures, rendering them ineligible.
This ruling has sent shockwaves through Kano’s political landscape, altering the course of leadership in the state. The APC’s Nasir Gawuna now stands as the victor, while Governor Yusuf faces a challenging legal battle ahead. This decision will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the state’s political dynamics and future governance.
