Kano APC aspirant seeks disqualification of guber candidate

A Kano State governorship aspirant and member representing Kano Municipal in House of Representative, Sha’aban Sharada, has approached a Federal High Court in Kano seeking the disqualification of Nasiru Gawuna as the 2023 governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the state.

Sharada was the only aspirant that challenged Gawuna during the APC gubernatorial primary election in Kano.

The Lawmaker argued that the primaries that produced Gawuna was marred by manipulation and inconsistent with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.

In his application before the Federal High Court, Sharada through his Counse, J.O. Asoluka, insisted that Mr Gawuna’s emergence was in violation to section 84 (1),(3),(8),(12) and (13) of the electoral act as amended.

Sharada joined the state chapter of the APC and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the suit.

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The plaintiff’s lawyer argued that contrary to the provision of the act and guidelines of the APC, the state government manipulated the nomination of APC delegates and compelled them to vote for the anointed candidate.

He also raised concern over the conduct that allowed the political appointees of the state government to cast their votes, contrary to Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act which disqualified their participation in the primary.

Meanwhile, Justice A.M. Liman granted leave to two motions filed by the plaintiff, first seeking to serve the deputy governor by substituted means.

The plaintiff’s lawyer alleged that Gawuna deliberately avoided court processes that was served to APC and INEC.

The court also granted the plaintiff an order of abridgment of hearing from 30 days to 15 days to enable the court to expedite the process.

Upon granting the orders, the court asked the defendants to file their appearances and enter defense in the suit within 15 days.

The parties are expected to agree on a date for hearing on the substantive argument.

The Star