Kano news

Barely two weeks to the 2023 governorship election in Kano state, the struggle for the gubernatorial ticket of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

Abacha also faulted the Justices of the Court of Appeal for holding that the primary election held on Lugard Avenue was a void primary election. He added that he emerged “as the candidate that scored the highest number of votes during the primary election organised by the 1st respondent (PDP) and supervised and monitored by by the 2nd respondent (INEC). He noted that, contrary to the appellate court’s position, the trial court specifically found that the primary held on Lugard Avenue was “sanctioned and organised by the National Working Committee” of the PDP. In the 17-ground notice of appeal relating to the Appeal Court judgment in the appeal by the PDP, Abacha argued that the appellate court erred when it held that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to have entertained this suit and that he lacked locus standi to have instituted the case for not being an aspirant. Abacha argued that contrary to the position held by the Court of Appeal, there are documentary evidence presented before the trial court that Wali actually participated in the primary. Abacha argued that, as against the wrong position held by the Court of Appeal, he was an aspirant in the primary election conducted by the PDP and monitored by INEC in accordance with the proviison of Section 84(1) of the Electoral Act; Paragraph 15(c) , Part 1 of the 3rd Schedule to the Constitution, as well as the Supreme Court’s decision in the case of Sylva v. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has been urged to reverse the February 10 judgments by the Court of Appeal in Kano voiding the nomination of Abacha as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Kano State. The court held that the law is clear that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party can conduct the gubernatorial primary elections of a party and since Abacha did not participate at the primary monitored by NEC delegates, he has no locus standi to challenge the outcome of the primary that produced Wali. The appellate court further held that the dissolution of the executive committees at all levels in the Kano State Chapter of the party and the appointment of a caretaker committee was done in accordance of Articles 31 (2) (e) of the party’s constitution. Wali continued to insist that he was the authentic candidate of the party in the state. The development led to the conduct of two congresses by the two factions of the party in the state and created the current crisis. Expressing confidence that he enjoys the support of majority of party members across the state, Abacha said his victory was for the PDP in Kano state.