Wild protest has today taken over most streets in Kano state following the release of judgment by court which sacked Governor Abba Yusuf. Although, the police are trying hard to ensure that the protest does not end in breakdown of law and order in the state, however, the protesters are chanting: “We Want Justice.” The lower court had subtracted about 165,663 votes belonging to Yusuf on the ground that the ballot papers were not signed by the INEC during the election process.
Last week, an Appeal Court panel had upheld the verdict of the tribunal led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay which upturned Governor Yusuf victory on September 20, 2023.
Consequently, governor Yusuf votes were reduced to 853,939 by the court while those of Nasir Ganuwa, his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival, were allowed to remain at 890,705.
Subsequently, the appellate court declared Nasir Gawuna as winner of March 25th, 2023 Governorship poll in Kano.
Accordingly, Governor Yusuf had directed his lawyers to approach the Supreme Court. However, when the Certified True Copies of the judgment of 67 pages were released today, the document indicated that the tribunal’s ruling that sacked Governor Yusuf was set aside.
In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Moore Aseimo Abraham Adumein, the judge held in one of the concluding paragraphs on Page 68 that “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.”
The unfolding issue had triggered confusion amongst the supporters of both parties, with the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and APC claiming victory simultaneously.
Amid the confusion, some youths stormed the streets, saying there were attempts to rob Governor Yusuf of the mandate freely given to him by Kano people.
Meanwhile, Police have succeeded in dispersing some of the protesters with teargas but others were adamant.