Kano Gov Yusuf accepts Ganduje’s challenge heads to Supreme Court
By Emma Ogbuehi
Kano state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, on Saturday, accepted the challenge of the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, to challenge his sack by the Court of Appeal at the Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday upheld the nullification of the election of Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) by the state election petition tribunal.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of justices led by Justice Moore A. Adumein held that Governor Yusuf was not a valid candidate in the gubernatorial election held in the state on March 18.
Shortly after the verdict, a boastful Ganduje dared Yusuf to go to Supreme Court, expressing optimism that the APC will trounce the NNPP again at the Supreme Court.
Ganduje, who applauded the appellate court for dispensing justice, said he was sure that the NNPP would still want to try their luck in the apex court, but assured them of another round of defeat.
“Probably they will go to the Supreme Court which is part of democracy. There is nothing wrong for them to go to the Supreme Court. We too, are ready to meet them in the Supreme Court. And Inshallah, we will win in the Supreme Court as well.”
On Saturday, Yusuf and his party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, rejected the Appeal Court judgment and declared their resolve to take the case to the Supreme Court in an effort to retain his seat.
Yusuf announced this in a post on his X page.
He wrote: “After careful study and rigorous stakeholders engagement, my team and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have decided to approach the Supreme Court on the miscarriage of justice, delivered by the Appeal Court, yesterday in Abuja.
“We are optimistic that the Supreme Court will by the grace of Allahu SWT, will set aside these miscarriages of justice by the Tribunal and the Appeal Court, and reaffirm our mandate, as given by the good people of Kano State.
“Furthermore, I call on the good people of the Kano State to continue to go about their legitimate businesses, as we have taken all the necessary measures to ensure the security of their lives and property as a cardinal responsibility.
“Finally, I call on the good people of the state and other well-meaning Nigerians to continue to pray for Allah’s mercy and protection to save the state from the injustice of mischief makers, who are desperately scheming to hijack power through the back door and return the state to the dark ages.”
