The Kanos State Governorship poll Petition Tribunal has fired state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the March 18 poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) proclaimed Yusuf, who ran on the banner of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), the election winner.
The panel, however, overturned INEC’s declaration and proclaimed Nasir Gawuna the winner on Wednesday.
The three-member tribunal ordered the removal of the certificate of return provided by INEC to Governor Yusuf and instructed that a certificate of return be granted to Gawuna.
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 unlawful.
The petition’s three grounds were all resolved in favor 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 utilized in the election).
NNPP has filed an appeal against the ruling, pledging to fight it in court.
