Headlines
Court reserves judgment in Kano governorship appeal
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has reserved judgment in the appeal by the Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, challenging his removal by the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.
KANO FOCUS recalled that the tribunal had on September 20 nullified Yusuf’s election by declaring 165,663 of his votes invalid.
The tribunal held that the ballot papers were not signed nor stamped by the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Consequently, the tribunal declared the APC candidate the winner of the governorship election.
Dissatisfied with the judgment, Yusuf appealed against the tribunal verdicts and urged the court to set aside the judgment.
At the hearing of the appeal on Monday, the lead counsel for the appellant, Wole Olanipekun urged the court to set aside the judgment of the lower court.
Olanipekun argued that the tribunal has created a new jurisprudence that departs from the precedent set by the appeal court and the apex court with its judgment.
The lead counsel submitted that it was the first time an election would be nullified based on non-stamping and signing of ballot papers.
He also held that the tribunal erred in referring to section 71 of the Electoral Act and citing decisions arising from the section.
According to him, the section cited relates to electoral forms and sum sheets, adding that there was no meeting point between that and the ballot papers.
He also argued that this was the first time that a political party filed a matter without joining its candidate as a party in the petition and the latter was declared winner of the polls.
Olanipekun, however, urged the court not to allow the judgment of the lower court to stand.
In his submission, the lead counsel for the first respondent, Akin Olujuimi, SAN urged the court to dismiss the appeal.
Olujimi said, “Contrary to the contention that the tribunal created a jurisprudence, the decision of this court right from 2009 laid it down under the regulation of INEC has set up what presiding officers are to do at the point of casting of votes. It said signatures and stamps must be on ballot papers with dates. And this court has heard that failure to do this is a clear case of non-compliance. It is not a new jurisprudence.”
He claimed that INEC admitted that the ballot papers were invalid, urging the court to dismiss the appeal.
He also argued that section 71 alluded to by the lower court rather than section 63 should not be a basis for the nullification of the court’s decision.
“The wrong reference to section 71 should not have anything to do with the validity of the decision, ” Olujuimi added.
Responding to Olanipekun’s submission that the candidate was not joined in the case, Olujimi said it is settled law that votes are cast for the party in an election and that any decision affecting a political party embraces all its members.
In the APC’s cross-appeal, Olujimi also argued before the court that the Kano State governor was not a member of the NNPP as of the time he was sponsored by the party.
Counsel for INEC, A.B Mahmoud SAN asked the appeal court to dismiss APC’s cross-appeal, adding that it was lacking in merit.
In a sister appeal by INEC, Mahmoud held that the tribunal turned the election jurisprudence law upside down with its judgment.
“What the court did was outside the scope of the tribunal. The electoral Act does not permit the tribunal to embark on this scrutiny or recount.
“We want this court to correct the anomaly and set the jurisprudence right. I urge the court to allow this appeal as it is preeminently meritorious and set aside the judgment of the lower court,” he added.
Counsel for the APC, Offiong Offiong urged the court to dismiss the appeal.
He argued that a trial court can investigate documents submitted as evidence to it.
The court, however, reserved judgments in all the matters till a date that would be communicated to parties involved in the appeal.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A former Governor of Kano State Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for ordering a fresh investigation into the disappearance of activist and lecturer Abubakar Idris Dadiyata.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso made the remarks in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday following recent testimony by a former aide to an ex-state governor, who allegedly claimed that police officers were responsible for Dadiyata’s disappearance in Kaduna.
Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media commentator, was abducted in 2019, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since then.
According to Kwankwaso, he and his associates have consistently advocated for a thorough investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
He described the Inspector-General’s directive for a comprehensive investigation as a “decisive and long-overdue action,” expressing hope that the process would uncover the truth behind the disappearance.
The former governor also urged police authorities to place individuals named in the allegations under close surveillance to prevent interference with the investigation.
Kwankwaso further called on the government to ensure that Dadiyata, if found alive, and his family receive adequate compensation for the trauma and hardship they have endured over the years.
He commended members of the public for sustaining advocacy efforts on the case and also praised Abba Hikima Fagge for what he described as his important role in the latest developments surrounding the investigation.
Kwankwaso expressed optimism that the renewed probe would ultimately deliver truth and justice in the case.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Alhaji Murtala Sule Garo on his emergence as the Deputy Governor of Kano State following his swearing-in on Tuesday.
KANO FOCUS reports that Garo was sworn in by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf after being nominated to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former deputy governor, Comrade Aminu Abdulsalam.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Garo’s appointment as a positive step toward strengthening unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State.
The President noted that the 48-year-old politician has held several public offices, including Chairman of Kabo Local Government Area and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during the administration of former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. He also served as the APC governorship running mate in the 2023 general elections.
Tinubu commended Governor Yusuf for the appointment, urging political stakeholders in the state to rally behind the administration to ensure stability and progress.
He also called on the new deputy governor to work closely with the governor in delivering effective leadership and accelerating development in Kano State.
The President wished Garo success in his new role.
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