Kano tribunal deducts 165,663 votes from NNPP’s Abba Yusuf, declares APC’s Gawuna winner of governorship election
In a stunning turn of events, the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has stripped Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of his mandate, awarding victory to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the contested March 18 election.
Governor Yusuf, representing the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), had originally been declared the victor by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). However, his triumph was short-lived as his APC rival, Nasir Gawuna, challenged the results in court.
In a verdict rendered today by a three-member tribunal panel, Governor Yusuf’s certificate of return, previously issued by INEC, was revoked, and a fresh certificate was ordered to be bestowed upon Gawuna. The tribunal’s judgment rested on the disqualification of a staggering 165,663 votes from Governor Yusuf’s total tally, deeming them invalid due to the absence of necessary stamps and signatures on the corresponding ballot papers.
This dramatic turn of events has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Kano, leaving both parties and their supporters in anticipation of the consequences that will undoubtedly follow this landmark decision.