The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the March 18 election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Yusuf, who contested on the platform of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), winner of the election.
While Nasir Gawuna, his APC rival, congratulated him, the party proceeded to court.
Stating reasons why the Kano governor was sacked, the panel said the margin of votes scored by NNPP was invalid and not in compliance with the 2022 electoral act.
The judges deducted 165,663 votes from the NNPP, adding that the ballot papers of the 165,663 were not stamped or signed and therefore declared invalid.
According to figures announced by INEC in the election, NNPP polled 1,019,602 votes while APC scored 890, 705 votes, leaving a difference of 128,897 votes.
But after voiding 165,663 ballot papers, NNPP votes dropped to 853,939, while APC remained at 890,705, leaving a difference of 36,766 votes in favour of APC.
All three grounds of the petition were resolved in favour of APC.
It was reported how the panel delivered the judgement via Zoom, and journalists, lawyers, party members and many others were denied access into the court.