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The Supreme Court has overturned earlier decisions by lower courts that had disqualified Kano State Governor, Yusuf Abba. The tribunal had nullified Abba's victory, citing 165,663 votes as invalid due to missing stamps and signatures on ballot papers.
Abba sought redress at the appeal court, which upheld the tribunal's ruling while criticizing the lower court for not disqualifying the governor. The appeal court additionally contended that Abba lacked proper sponsorship from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, a violation of Section 177 (c) of the constitution, and subsequently declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress the election winner.
In a decisive turn of events, the Supreme Court, led by Justice John Okoro, ordered the restoration of all ballot papers from which votes were deducted, effectively reinstating Yusuf Abba as the rightful winner. Justice Okoro emphasized that the disputed papers contained the prescribed logo of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the coat of arms, aligning with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
This ruling marks a significant legal victory for Governor Yusuf Abba, as he reclaims his electoral mandate, and raises questions about the initial disqualification based on technicalities. The Supreme Court's decision reinforces the importance of adherence to constitutional provisions and electoral laws in determining the validity of votes and the qualification of candidates.
The political landscape in Kano State is likely to experience shifts in the aftermath of this ruling, as the Supreme Court's verdict settles the contentious issues surrounding the governorship election
