‘It can’t stand’ — NNPP to challenge appeal court verdict sacking Abba Yusuf

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) says it will explore all legal means to reclaim its mandate in Kano state.

Oladipupo Olayoku, the NNPP spokesperson, told TheCable that the party would “pursue the matter to a logical conclusion”.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, the court of appeal in Abuja affirmed the verdict of the state governorship election petition tribunal sacking Abba Yusuf, NNPP candidate, as governor of Kano. 

A three-member panel of the appellate court held that the NNPP breached the constitution by sponsoring Yusuf, who was not a member of the party when the election was held.

The court held that Yusuf’s name was not in any of the membership registers of the NNPP tendered before the tribunal — a contravention of section 177(c) of the 1999 Constitution.

While speaking on the NNPP’s next line of action over the ruling, Olayoku said the party would file an appeal at the supreme court. 

“That kind of judgment cannot stand. Once the supreme court opens, we will file our appeal. No going back,” Olayoku said. 

“We will pursue the matter to the logical conclusion.”