Kano Governor Abba Yusuf hires Tinubu’s lawyer to Reclaim Mandate From APC’s Candidate

Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has hired renowned legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) to prosecute the redemption of his mandate at the Court of Appeal.

According to a copy of the notice of appeal made available to newsmen on Friday, October 6, 2023, Olanipekun, who led the legal team of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT), is now the counsel for Governor Yusuf.

Other members of the legal team of the governor are Bode Olanipekun (SAN), Ibrahim G. Waru and Akintola Makinde, with Wole Olanipekun & Co as the legal firm handling the appeal.

Recall the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal in September had sacked Yusuf of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) and declared his opponent, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 18 gubernatorial election.

But, Yusuf filed a 42-ground of appeal before the appellate court asking the court to set aside the judgment of the tribunal and also striking out the petition of the APC.

Yusuf through his party, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the appeal no EPT/KN/GOV/01/2023 dated 2 October said he is not satisfied with the tribunal judgement delivered on 20 September.

He therefore asked the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgement of tribunal because the tribunal erred by delivering the judgement virtually which violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

In the notice, the governor argued that the tribunal being a creation of the constitution is bound to obey every provision of the Constitution.

“It’s mandatory for the tribunal to deliver its judgement in the open court in Kano where all hearings, and proceedings took place. The judgement was not delivered in the open court in Kano where the hearing notice ordered parties to attend or assemble.

“The obligation to obey section 36 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not excuseable under any circumstances. The judgement delivered (via Zoom) is in violation of the Constitution, and is null and void,” the governor argued in his first ground in the appeal notice.

Meanwhile, Chief E.O.B. Offiong (APC) remains the counsel for the APC.