NNPP rejects Appeal Court judgement, heads for Supreme Court

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has expressed sadness over the judgement of the Court of Appeal, which sacked Kano Governor Abba Yusuf, saying it will explore all legal means to reclaim its mandate.

National Auditor of the party, Ladipo Johnson, told The Nation that the party will approach the Supreme Court with the belief that it will be successful in reclaiming the mandate.

The Court of Appeal on Friday affirmed the judgement of the Kano Governorship Election Tribunal, which nullified the election of Yusuf, affirming the APC Candidate as the winner of the election.

Johnson said the concern of the party is the people who voted for the NNPP saying issues. Of technicalities should not form the basis of denying the people their choice of a givernor.

He said the NNPP was confident that the supreme Court will affirm the election of Engr Yusuf and appeal to the party supporters to. Remain calm and allow the party take the necessary steps to reclaim it’s mandate.

The faction of the party loyal to the founder also rejected the decision of the Court of Appeal, saying the party still has an opportunity to reclaim it’s mandate at the Supreme Court.

National Chairman of the faction, Dr. Agbo Major, told The Nation that though the party was not happy with the Appeal Court judgement, it expects the judiciary, through the Supreme Court to redeem itself by doing the right thing.

He said a system that encourages what he described as injustice does not augur well for the nation”s democracy.

He said the party had expected the Court of Appeal to take a different stand from the tribunal, adding that “it is unfortunate that the Appeal Court went the same way. But we are confident that the Supreme. Court will do the right thing.

"After 22 years, our party was able. To won a governorship seat. But see what is happening now. We are not happy about that,” he said.