Photo Credit: Sahara Reporters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has made a significant decision regarding the Kano State governorship election petition tribunal’s judgment that removed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) from office.

In a surprising move, INEC has instructed its Kano zonal office not to pursue an appeal against the tribunal’s ruling. The announcement of this decision was made through a statement issued by Suleiman Alkali, the Head of the Department of Legal Affairs for INEC’s zonal office in Kano.

Alkali’s statement clarified that the decision to withdraw the appeal came from INEC headquarters, emphasizing that as an impartial electoral body, INEC had no grounds to appeal any judgment. Both the National Commission responsible for Legal Services and the National Commissioner for the Kano Zone directed the withdrawal of the appeal, instructing that all related processes should be forwarded to the Kano Office.

The initial notice of appeal filed by INEC stated that the electoral commission was dissatisfied with the judgment delivered by the Governorship Petition Election Tribunal in Kano. The tribunal’s decision, according to INEC, wrongly applied Section 133 of the Electoral Act 2022 and a previous legal case to conclude that Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna had secured the majority of votes in the election.

INEC’s argument revolved around the belief that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to grant relief to a candidate who did not challenge the election’s outcome. The electoral commission sought specific orders from the Court of Appeal, including setting aside the tribunal’s judgment, dismissing the petition, and affirming the declaration of the 2nd Respondent as the duly elected Governor of Kano State.

This decision by INEC adds an intriguing twist to the ongoing legal battle surrounding the Kano State governorship election, raising questions about the implications it may have for the political landscape in the state.

Source: Sahara Reporters