JUST IN: INEC makes U-turn, to continue with Kano governorship judgement appeal

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has made a U-turn by withdrawing its initial letter signifying withdrawal from appeal against the judgement of the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

SOLACEBASE had reported that in a letter dated October 6, and signed by Suleiman Alkali, the head of the commission’s legal department in Kano, INEC said it withdrew its appeal as it had no reason to appeal any judgment.

“I have been instructed by the Commission headquarters that INEC as an umpire have no reason to appeal any judgment.

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“Consequently, the National Commission In charge if Legal Services and National Commissioner in charge of Kano zone directed that the appeal be withdrawn and all processes for all Appeals should be forwarded to the Kano Office,” the letter, addressed to the secretary of the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, read.

However, speaking to SOLACEBASE late on Friday night Suleiman Alkali, said the letter written to the Kano Governorship tribunal has been withdrawn.

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Alkali said the withdrawal of the letter became pertinent as there was no reason for it in the first instance.

Although he did not say more than that, but it could be understood that there was a power play in the issue.

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On September 20, a 3-man panel sacked Governor Abba Yusuf and declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Nasiru Gawuna, winner of the March 18 governorship poll.