The Court of Appeal in Abuja has scheduled Friday, Nov. 16, for the verdict on the appeal filed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, challenging his removal by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
The tribunal, led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay, nullified 165,663 of Yusuf’s votes on September 20, 2023, citing lack of signature or stamp by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Reducing the governor’s votes to 853,939, the tribunal maintained Nasir Ganuwa’s All Progressives Congress (APC) votes at 890,705.
Rejecting the tribunal’s decision as “unfair” and a “miscarriage of justice,” Yusuf appealed the ruling, represented by Wole Olanipekun, SAN, who urged the court to set aside the tribunal’s judgment.
Olanipekun argued that the annulment based on the non-signing of ballot papers was unprecedented, emphasizing that it was the first instance where a political party filed a case without including its candidate as a party, yet the candidate was declared the election winner.
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In contrast, Akin Olujimi SAN, counsel for APC, countered, pointing to the Appeal Court’s assertion that the absence of signatures on ballots constituted electoral malpractice. He cited INEC regulations, emphasizing that presiding officers must sign and date the back of ballot papers.
The Court of Appeal, having reserved judgment, announced on Thursday that the verdict would be delivered on Friday. The outcome will significantly impact the political landscape in Kano State.