Abia: Kano judge denies nullifying Otti gov-elect

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


However, the court declared that the election of Kano Labour Party candidates in the 2023 elections was null and void.


According to the News Agency of Nigeria, a plaintiff, Mr Ibrahim Haruna-Ibrahim, filed a motion seeking the court to annul and set aside the certificate of return granted to all LP candidates proclaimed winners in Kano and the other 35 states, including the FCT Abuja.

The respondents in the suit include the Labour Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission, according to NAN.

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.