Kano judge denies nullifying Abia gov-elect election

A Federal High Court in Kano State has denied nullifying the candidature of the Abia State Governor-elect, Dr Alex Otti.

The court, however, said it nullified the election of the candidates for the Kano Labour Party that contested during the 2023 elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that a plaintiff, Mr Ibrahim Haruna-Ibrahim, filed an application asking the court to revoke and set aside the certificate of return issued to all LP candidates declared winners in Kano and other 35 states, including the FCT Abuja.

NAN reported that the respondents in the suit are Labour Party and Independent National Electoral Commission.

Justice Muhammad Nasir-Yunusa, said the candidates who participated in the 2023 general election in Abia were not parties before his court. “This court lacks jurisdiction to make an order for the issuance of a certificate of return. They are at liberty to seek redress in the appropriate Division of the court,” he added.

He said INEC was bound to insist on receiving the registered members of the first respondent and that of other political parties 30 days before the primary election in compliance with section 77(3) of the electoral act 2022.

The section states that a party that has not complied with section 77(2)(3) of the electoral act 2022 cannot be declared winner of the election.

“The court declared the primary election of LP in Kano as null and void,” Nasir-Yunusa said.

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