On Friday, the appellate court declared Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State ineligible for the election, with Justice M.A Adumeh leading the three-member panel. They affirmed that Yusuf’s name was absent from his party’s membership register, a violation of electoral protocols.
Justice Adumeh, citing an electoral act provision, stressed the necessity for parties to maintain a comprehensive list of members in both physical and digital formats. Yusuf’s failure to counter the accusations raised doubts about his claim to party membership without proper documentation.
Emphasizing Section 134 of the electoral act, Justice Adumeh underscored that candidates must not only be party members but also officially sponsored. He criticized the tribunal for not disqualifying Yusuf initially, asserting that non-compliance with Section 177(c) was detrimental to the election process. Adumeh deemed the nomination of a candidate without valid membership a nullity, emphasizing the importance of adhering to constitutional requirements.
Furthermore, he rebuked political parties for scapegoating the judiciary for defeats, stating, “The same party will wake up to accuse the judiciary, including infamous allegations of corrupt practices.”
In response to the appellate court’s ruling, Governor Kabir Yusuf took legal action against the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and his own party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), specifically regarding the primary elections. The Spectacles outlines the events leading to the lawsuit and highlights key arguments presented by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The lawsuit follows a period during which concerns were raised about the conduct of the primary elections. Allegations were made regarding the victory of NNPP and Governor Yusuf, prompting the APC to present concrete evidence challenging the results.
Governor’s Allegations:
1. APC Challenge: Kabir Yusuf seeks the court’s intervention to prevent the APC from challenging his victory. This implies an attempt to secure his position by restricting the opposition’s legal avenues.
2. INEC’s Testimony: The governor aims to prevent INEC from testifying that they lack the primary election results. This suggests a defensive move to control the narrative surrounding the election process.
3. NNPP’s Role: Governor Yusuf places blame on his own party, NNPP, for not conducting a proper primary election. This internal criticism raises questions about the party’s internal processes and the governor’s confidence in the legitimacy of his nomination.
Possible Disqualification
The timing of the governor’s response, just a moment after APC’s challenge, suggests a sense of urgency. There is speculation that the court may disqualify Governor Kabir Yusuf based on the evidence presented by the APC.
The lawsuit filed by Governor Yusuf against APC, INEC, and NNPP reflects the complexities and controversies surrounding the Kano primary elections. The governor’s attempt to curtail legal challenges and deflect blame onto his own party adds layers to the unfolding political drama. As updates emerge, it will be crucial to monitor the court proceedings and the impact of this legal action on the political landscape in Kano.
