A wave of protests have swept across Kano State in the aftermath of the Appeal Court’s decision to remove Governor Abba Yusuf from office.
The demonstrations, which began on Wednesday, have seen angry residents block roads and set bonfires in a clear display of their disapproval of the court’s ruling.
Unrest in the state intensified following the release of the Certified True Copy of the judgment, which appeared to contradict the initial verdict handed down by the appellate court. The discrepancy fueled tensions among Yusuf’s supporters, who vowed to continue their protests until justice was served.
Prior to the protests, police authorities in Kano had warned against any form of demonstration, citing fears of violence.
Recall that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) the winner of the 2023 gubernatorial polls in the state. However, the state governorship election petitions tribunal nullified his victory.
In September, the Court of Appeal upheld the tribunal’s decision, ruling that Yusuf’s name was not on the NNPP’s register of members, rendering him ineligible to contest the election. The court consequently declared Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner of the poll.
