Supreme Court reinstates Kano governor

The Supreme Court has overturned the rulings of the lower courts that removed Yusuf Abba as the Governor of Kano State.

The tribunal nullified Yusuf Abba’s victory from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, invalidating 165,663 votes due to unstamped and unsigned ballot papers. Abba appealed, and the higher court upheld the tribunal’s decision, criticizing the lower court for not disqualifying the governor.

The appellate court found the governor’s sponsorship by the party improper, violating Section 177 (c) of the constitution. Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress was declared the winner.

However, at the Supreme Court, Justice John Okoro ordered the restoration of deducted votes, citing compliance with the Electoral Act in the ballot papers and stating that party membership is an internal matter.