Security intensified around Supreme Court ahead of judgement in Kano, 6 other governorship disputes

The Supreme Court of Nigeria Complex in the Three Arms zones of Abuja is under heavy security ahead of the judgment in the Kano State governorship election appeal.

WORLD WIDE GIST reports that the apex court will also deliver judgment in Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, Bauchi, and Cross River governorship elections.

Judgments in the Kano and Plateau appeals are expected most because the lower courts had sacked the incumbent governors.

Security personnel have been deployed to the Court’s main entrance to prevent unauthorized movements of humans and vehicles into the complex premises.

Though only lawyers and parties involved in the matter were allowed, hundreds of supporters of the parties were trying to gain access to the premises. Even journalists were having difficulty finding their way into the court premises.

Recall that Kano State governor, Abba Yusuf, and his party, New Nigeria People Party, filed an appeal against the verdict of the Court of Appeal, which had affirmed his sacking as earlier announced by the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal.

The tribunal sacked Yusuf and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to retrieve his certificate of return and issue the same to the candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the March 18, 2023, governorship election, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna.

Dissatisfied with the Tribunal verdict, Yusuf proceeded to the Appeal Court, but the appellate court, while confirming his sack, held that the governor was not a member of the party as of the time of the election.

WORLD WIDE GIST also reports that for Plateau, Gov. Caleb Mutfwang’s election was upheld by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in Jos. However, the appeal court overturned his victory and declared Nentawe Goshwe of the APC the winner of the election.

The court held that the failure of the PDP to comply with the order of the Plateau State High Court in Jos directing it to conduct valid ward, local governments, and state congresses before nominating its candidates for the various elective posts was a breach of the law.