Live Updates: Appeal Court Delivers Judgement on Kano 2023 Governorship Election

Appeal court's verdict on Kano, Bauchi election: What next?

The losers at the Court of Appeal, NNPP in Kano, APC in Bauchi, can challenge the verdicts at the Supreme Court, which is the country's apex court.

In summary: Appeal court's verdict on Kano guber

• The appeal court has removed Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state from office.
• The panel, led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay, upheld the tribunal's decision from September 20, 2023.
• The lower court invalidated 165,663 votes for Yusuf, citing a lack of signatures or stamps by INEC, reducing his total votes to 853,939.
• Nasir Ganuwa, his APC rival, maintained his vote count at 890,705.
• Yusuf contested the tribunal's decision, deeming it "unfair" and "a miscarriage of justice," and took the case to the appeal court.
• Wole Olanipekun, SAN, representing Yusuf, sought to set aside the tribunal's judgment, arguing against the annulment of an election based on non-signing of ballot papers.
• Akin Olujimi SAN, counsel for APC, countered, stating that the Appeal Court emphasized that non-signing of ballots constituted electoral malpractice.

Kano Governorship Election Dispute: Appeal court gives verdict

The appeal court has sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state.

The panel upheld the tribunal's verdict led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan Osadebay, which sacked Yusuf on September 20, 2023.

Bauchi governorship dispute: Appeal court gives verdict

The appeal court affirmed the victory of Governor Mohammed of Bauchi state. Details summarised below:

• The Appeal Court in Abuja affirmed Governor Bala Mohammed's victory in the Bauchi state governorship election.
• The APC candidate, Sadique Abubakar filed the appeal after the tribunal upheld Mohammed's victory.
• The panel of three justices unanimously ruled, awarding no cost to either party.
• The appellant's plea to nullify the election due to improperly filled forms was rejected for lack of evidence.
• The appellant failed to specify the polling units involved and couldn't prove the impact on election results.
• Witnesses called by the appellant couldn't demonstrate an understanding of the forms.
• The plea of massive non-compliance with electoral laws was dismissed for lack of proof, as witnesses didn't vote on election day.
• Allegations of unprofessional conduct by INEC officials were rejected as they were not part of the lower court plea.
• The court ruled in favour of Mohammed on these issues.
• The plea regarding fraudulent cancellations, mutilations, and alterations required proof of falsification, which the appellant couldn't provide.
• The court noted that if proven, falsification could lead to the cancellation of election results.
• The appellant failed to present a genuine result along with the alleged falsified one.

Kano, Bauchi governorship disputes: Tight security as appeal court delivers judgment

There is tight security at the Court of Appeal complex in the Federal Capital Territory, ahead of the judgments.

The Punch reported that some roads leading to the court were cordoned off by police officers

Legit.ng gathers that many party supporters are trying to gain access to the premises even as police officers trying to contain the surge fired teargas canisters to disperse them.

Appeal court will also deliver verdict on Bauchi governorship election today

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, also fixed Friday, November 17, for the judgement in the case seeking the removal of Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi state.

A top Bauchi state government official disclosed to Legit.ng that the appellate court had officially communicated the development to all parties in the matter.

Kano governorship election dispute in summary

• Abba Yusuf of the NNPP and Nasiru Gawuna of the APC are in a legal battle over the outcome of the Kano 2023 governorship election.
• INEC initially declared Yusuf the winner with 1,019,602 votes, but Gawuna contested the result.
• The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal set aside Yusuf's victory, declaring Gawuna the lawfully elected candidate after invalidating 165,663 votes.
• Yusuf appealed the tribunal's decision, and the Court of Appeal is set to deliver its decision today.
• The Court of Appeal's decision is not final, and further appeals can be made to the Supreme Court.
• Due to tensions in Kano, the appellate court moved its panel to Abuja for the hearing, adding to the anticipation surrounding the case.