Kano PDP Gov’ship Suit: Abacha, Wali, Bello Know Fate Dec 22

The Federal High Court sitting in Kano yesterday fixed Thursday, December 22, for   ruling in the case of   Kano Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial ticket.

The case involving Muhammad Sani Abacha, Sadiq Aminu Wali, and Sani Bello is to determine the governorship candidate of the Kano State chapter of the PDP.

On resumption of continued hearing yesterday, Abacha and the other contenders were informed through their legal counsels that the ruling would be delivered via Zoom, but was later adjourned to next Thursday, December 22.

Alhaji Muhammad Abacha, had via originating summon approached the court praying it to declare him winner of the party primary election conducted on 25th May, 2022.

He also prayed the court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), its officers, agents and privies from further recognising Sadiq Aminu Wali or any other person from parading as gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in Kano State for the 2023 governorship election.

Abacha further told the court that he scored the highest total votes cast during the primary election, yet INEC went ahead to recognise Mr Wali as the party’s flag bearer.

While Abacha is contesting the ticket at the court, another candidate, Jafar Sani Bello instituted a fresh suit challenging both Mohammed Abacha and Sadiq Wali on grounds of qualification in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, Electoral Act and PDP constitution.

Jafar Sani Bello, similarly joined INEC in the suit for recognising Sadiq Wali as flag bearer for the party, and urged the court to join him as an interested party in a suit he instituted and Wali was joined.

Dissatisfied with the court decision, Sadiq Wali approached the Court of Appeal asking it to nullify the federal high court ruling.

The Court of Appeal, consequently upheld that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter as such Wali should not be joined as party in the suit.

When the case resumed hearing at the Federal High Court on 8th December 2022, the trial judge fixed the 19th December for ruling on the Court of Appeal judgement against his decision.

However, when the two cases resumed yesterday, parties were informed that the judgement will be delivered via Zoom and that codes have been distributed to legal representatives.