NNPP approaches s’court to challenge verdict sacking Yusuf as Kano governor

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has approached the supreme court to challenge the judgement of the court of appeal which sacked Abba Yusuf as governor of Kano.

On November 17, a three-member panel of the appellate court in Abuja held that the NNPP breached the constitution by sponsoring Yusuf, who was not a member of the party when the election was held.

The court held that Yusuf’s name was not in any of the membership registers of the NNPP tendered before the tribunal — a contravention of section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution.

In the notice of appeal filed on Wednesday, the NNPP is seeking to void the judgment on 10 grounds.

The party said the appellate court ought not to have delved into the issue of non-qualification of its candidate because it was not part of the issues raised in the appeal.

“The court of appeal reviewed and reversed the Tribunals’ judgment that went in favour of the appellant and 1st respondent on issue of party membership when no ground of appeal or issue was formulated to warrant such a review,” the party submitted.

The NNPP also submitted that membership of a political party is not regulated by Section 177(c) of the Constitution but by the constitution of the party itself.

The party stated that the appellate court erred by declaring Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor of Kano.

Consequently, NNPP is praying the apex court to set aside the judgment of the court of appeal.