Malik Yahya & NAN/
A federal high court in Kano today nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary in Kano.
The court consequently barred the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the state, Abba Kabir-Yusuf, from taking part in Saturday’s governorship election.
Justice Lewis Allagoa ruled that the party did not conduct governorship primary election in Kano State and declared the candidature of Yusuf null and void.
One of the party’s gubernatorial aspirants, Ali Amin-little, had approached the court to challenge the process that led to Yusuf’s emergence as PDP gubernatorial candidate in Kano.
Al-Amin alleged that the PDP during the primary election “sidelined and booted him out” of the race.
Justice Alagua nullified the election on the premise that the party had no incontrovertible reason to stop the plaintiff from participating in the primary election because he formally brought his expression and nomination form.
Alagua also held that denying the plaintiff the right to participate in the primary election, contravened the provision of the Electoral Act.
He ordered for a valid fresh primary election before the forthcoming governorship election on March 9 in the country.
Earlier, the plaintiff, Ali-Amin, prayed the court to nullify the election on the ground that it was grossly flawed, given the manner he had been sidelined with no justifiable reasons to legitimize such an act.
He said he was blatantly denied participation in the primary election, in spite of the fact that he had bought his expression and nomination form.
It was, however, the contention of the plaintiff that there was also the need for the court to interpret whether the party could go ahead to field a candidate for the election in Kano State without conducting the primary election or not.
In his submission, counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Kabir Usman said the judgement effected had become legally expedient, since his client had been denied the right to contest the election.
He said with the cancellation of the primary election, the governorship slot is now vacant, pending when a fresh and valid primary election is held.
In his remarks, counsel to PDP, Bashir Yusuf said the verdict did not affect Abba Kabir-Yusuf as a candidate but PDP as a party pointing out they would appeal against the judgement.
Meanwhile, Kabir-Yusuf has insisted that he remained the party’s flag bearer in spite of the court ruling.
Kabir-Yusuf, who is the son-in-law of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, made the claim in a statement signed by his spokesman, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa, issued to newsmen in Kano today.
“The court ruling today (Monday) does not in any way affect the candidature of Engr. Abba Kabir-Yusuf as the case is against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which we believe that the party has taken the most appropriate action of appeal.
“As far as we are concerned, our campaign activities will continue till Thursday night, March 8 when the deadline of campaigns will elapse as contained in the Electoral Act 2010 as amended.”
According to him, the case has nothing to do with him as the party flag bearer, but an internal issue the party had taken step to resolve.
The governorship candidate urged his teeming supporters to remain calm and continue with the electioneering campaigns to ensure victory for the party on Saturday.
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