By Mustapha Salisu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State has described the widely circulated news of affirming New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP), Mr Rufai Hanga as Senator-Elect for Kano Central by the Supreme Court as absolutely false and a misrepresentation of the Judgement of the Supreme Court.
In a Press Statement released to newsmen by the State’s Party Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas said, the subject matter of the civil action before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division which cumulated in the Supreme Court’s decision, had absolutely nothing to do with the declaration and return of Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga as the winner of the 2023 General Election for the member of the Senate representing Kano Central Senatorial District of Kano State.
He further explained that, neither Senator Ibrahim Shekarau nor Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga were parties to the case which was the subject of the Supreme Court’s Judgement and it is an elementary principle of law that Judgement cannot be delivered in favour of a person who is not a party to a suit or appeal.
According to Abbas “Senator Rufa’i Sani Hanga who was never a candidate in the just concluded election cannot be declared and returned as the winner of the said election. Doing so, will amount to an affront to the provisions of the Constitution“
“By the law, INEC has already declared Senator Ibrahim Shekarau as the winner of the 2023 General Election and as such cannot make a second declaration and return of another person as the winner of the same election” he pointed.
Abdullahi hinted that APC and its candidate have written to INEC appealing to it to review its decision on the declaration and return of Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, who was not qualified to contest as at the time of the conduct of the election as contained in the Electoral Act, 2022 which INEC is yet to review.
“We have directed our team of lawyers to approach the National Assembly Election Petition Tribunal for redress so as to reclaim the mandate of our party lawfully entitled to it and its candidate by the majority of the lawful vote cast at the election” Abbas said.
The Chairman has urged teaming members and supporters of the party to remain calm, peaceful and have faith in the judicial process in Nigeria while the mandate of the party is being restored and secured.
He also urged them to continue enlightening the public not to cast their vote in favour of NNPP in the next election.
