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Supreme Court Of Nigeria Affirms Abba Yusuf As Legitimate Governor Of Kano State.
In a landmark ruling that has reverberated across Nigeria, the Supreme Court has officially recognized Abba Yusuf as the legitimate governor of Kano State. This decision has brought immense joy and relief to Governor Yusuf and his supporters, and it represents a significant step towards the restoration of democracy in the country.
Governor Yusuf expressed his deep satisfaction with the court’s verdict, viewing it as a positive and promising sign for the future of democracy in Nigeria. He took the opportunity to commend the people of Kano State for their transparent and fair electoral process during the 2023 elections, which the Supreme Court duly acknowledged. The governor expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the esteemed justices of the apex court, emphasizing that their ruling has reinstated faith in democracy and reaffirmed the principles of justice and fairness.
Furthermore, Governor Yusuf extended his appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their impartiality and unwavering support of the democratic process. Despite facing considerable pressure from various quarters, President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima maintained their neutrality and demonstrated their commitment to upholding the will of the people.
Ladipo Johnson, the National Auditor of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), joined the chorus of voices hailing the Supreme Court’s judgment as a resounding victory for democracy and the rule of law. The Supreme Court, sitting in Abuja, overturned the decisions of the lower courts that had previously removed Governor Abba Yusuf from office.
The lower courts had invalidated a significant number of Governor Yusuf’s votes on the grounds of missing stamps or signatures on the ballot papers. However, the Supreme Court intervened and ordered the restoration of all ballot papers from which the appellant’s votes were discarded. The court emphasized that these ballot papers bore the logo of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the national coat of arms, as required by the Electoral Act.
Moreover, the Supreme Court made it clear that the issue of party membership, which had been another basis for the governor’s removal by the lower courts, is an internal matter to be resolved within the party itself. Consequently, the court ruled decisively in favor of Governor Abba Yusuf, overturning the decisions made by both the Appeal Court and the Election Petition Tribunal.
To provide some context, on November 17, 2023, the Court of Appeal nullified Governor Yusuf’s electoral victory and declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election. Dissatisfied with this judgment, the NNPP filed an appeal notice with the Supreme Court, ultimately leading to the recent ruling in Governor Yusuf’s favor.
The Supreme Court’s resolute decision to confirm Abba Yusuf as the legitimate governor of Kano State not only reinstates him to his rightful position but also serves to fortify and uphold the democratic process in Nigeria. It serves as an important reminder that the rule of law prevails and that the voice of the people is of paramount importance in determining their elected representatives. The ruling has sparked optimism and renewed hope for a brighter democratic future in Nigeria.
