By Umar Isa
Court of Appeal sitting in Kaduna on Thursday delivered judgment in favor of Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, the PDP Governorship candidate in the recent 2019 elections against Alhaji Ibrahim Al’amin Little.
In a unanimous judgment the Justices of the appeal court and read by the lead judge , Justice Tanko Hussaini set aside the judgment of a Federal High Court in Kano and confirmed Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf as a bona fide gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Kano State 2019.
The court agreed with the prayers of the appellate (Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf) that the plaintiff Ibrahim Al’amin Little did not participate in the October 2nd 2018 primary election conducted by the PDP in Kano.
The court also said that as contained in section 87 subsection 9 of the electoral act 2010 as amended, a petitioner can only file a case before the court if he or she formally participated in the primary election in question.
It noted that the case has no substance due to some irregularities part of which is the appellate name was not included among the defendants and agreed that the lower court in Kano has no right to entertain the case.
Justice Tanko Hussaini averred that the judgment of the Federal High Court was faulty as Abba Kabir Yusuf was not joined in the suit hence the necessary party was omitted .
The Court of Appeal then confirmed Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf as the authentic flag-bearer of the PDP in Kano State for 2019 governorship election.
It can be recalled that the candidate has survived court judgments to stand as the PDP flagbearer four times.
Responding on today’s judgment, the PDP governorship candidate Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf said democracy is wining as the judiciary remains a catalyst in restoring the hope and confidence of the citizens in bringing a society that is free from any kind of injustice.
“It is with great sense of humility; I thank the Almighty Allah (SWT) for all his blessings throughout my contest as the PDP flag-bearer, in his infinite mercy, Allah has made it possible for us to have recorded a lot successes in our journey to destiny. I want use this opportunity to appreciate the members of our great party the PDP, Kwankwasiyya Movement and indeed the good people of Kano state for identifying with us in these trying moments and showcasing their ardent support”
This was contained in a statement signed by Spokesman to Abba Kabir Yusuf, Sanusi Bature Dawakin-Tofa on Thursday in Kano.
Engr. Abba Kabir added that “the truth will continue to unveil as we are determined to reclaim our stolen mandate. We called Alhaji Ibrahim Al’amin Little as a friend and brother to join hands with us in our mission in sanitizing the process governance and ensuring that Kano return to its glorious old good days both economically, socially, politically and otherwise”
