Mohammed Shosanya
The Supreme Court on Friday, declared Yusuf Abba Kabir of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) as the validly elected governor of Kano state.
Justice Inyang Okoro gave the judgement in an appeal by Governor Yusuf Kabir, challenging the decision of the Court of Appeal Abuja, which had on November 17, sacked him from office.
The Appeal Court had disqualified Governor Yusuf Kabir him from the Kano governorship race, and went ahead to declare Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC), winner of the 18 March governorship election in Kano State.
However,in a lead judgement delivered by Justice John Inyang Okoro, the Supreme Court unanimously held that the tribunal never found that Yusuf Kabir was not qualified to contest the election.
Justice Inyang Okoro held that issue of sponsorship and nomination of candidate falls under the domestic affairs of a political party.
He insisted that the tribunal lacked the jurisdiction to entertain a matter that bordered on the internal affairs of a political party.
He advised Judges on election panels to be more meticulous in their adjudicatory functions to avoid the mess and ugly situation witnessed in the Court of Appeal, Kano.
“There is merit in this appeal and it is hereby allowed. I shall make no orders as to cost.As agreed, all the other appeals in this case abide by this decision.
“The judgement of the lower court is hereby set aside” Justice Inyang Okoro held.