JUST IN: Tribunal sacks Kano governor, declares APC winner

The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 18 election.

Yusuf, who contested on the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), was declared winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

While his APC opponent, Nasir Gawuna, thanked him, the party went to court.

On Wednesday, the three-member panel ruled that the certificate of return provided by INEC to Governor Yusuf be withdrawn and that a certificate of return be issued to Gawuna.

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The court deducted 165,663 votes from Gov. Yusuf’s total as illegitimate votes, citing the fact that the ballot papers (165,663) were not stamped or signed and thus considered invalid.

The petition’s three grounds were all resolved in favour of APC.

The grounds are Gov Yusuf’s membership in the NNPP, noncompliance with the Electoral Act, and total legitimate votes (invalid ballot sheets were utilised in the election).

NNPP has filed an appeal against the ruling, pledging to fight it in court.

Kanyidaily recalls that Kano State Police Banned Street Protests Amid Tension Over Tribunal Judgment.