The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has fixed Friday, November 17, 2023 for judgement in the appeal filed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) against the verdict of the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which declared the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, as the rightful winner of the March 18 governorship election in the State.
According to a top Kano State government official, the Appellate court had officially communicated the development to all parties in the matter.
Recall that a three-man panel of judges of the Election Tribunal led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay sacked Yusuf on September 20, 2023, by declaring 165,663 of his votes invalid because the ballot papers “were not signed or stamped by INEC”.
Yusuf had described the tribunal’s verdict as “unfair” and “a miscarriage of justice”.
Parties in the suit include Governor Yusuf and his party, NNPP as well as the opposition APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Meanwhile, the Kano State Police Command has already raised the security level in the state with the deployment of more personnel to strategic places in the state metropolis to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order.
The police have also banned political gatherings and raised the alarm about suspected “preparation for violent processions, protests, or celebrations that may trigger reactions”.
The Police Commissioner, Usaini Gumel, who assured residents of adequate security before and after the judgement, advised residents against unguarded statements or engaging in violent protests or celebrations that may ignite reactions in the commercial city.
