Recall that the Supreme Court on Friday, affirmed Abba Yusuf as the elected governor of Kano State.
The apex court in Nigeria has given reasons for upturning the Appeal Court ruling that sacked Abba Yusuf as Kano State Governor.
Supreme Court Justice John Inyang Okoro restored all the ballot papers to Governor Abba Yusuf against an earlier judgement by the Appeal Court.
It also affirmed Abba Yusuf as the elected governor of Kano State.
Abba Kabir’s victory in the 2023 Governorship Election was challenged by the All Progressives Congress, APC, and its governorship candidate in Kano, Alh Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna.
Overturning the verdict of the Court of Appeal, Justice Okoro said, “There is no proof that the said ballot papers were not the ones used at the election.
“Thus the decision of the Court of Appeal affirming the decision of the tribunal ought to be set aside.
“What is the effect of a ballot paper not having the marks by the Electoral commission?
“A ballot paper that does not bear INEC mark is not invalid by all purposes.”
Justice Okoro held that the law requires that it must be proven that a ballot paper was not the ones deployed for the conduct of the election.
“Finally, the lower court wrongly misconstrued its evaluation of the ballot papers. This amounts to perversion. Accordingly, all the ballot papers are restored to Governor Yusuf.”