S/West NNPP, Ajadi warn APC not to destroy judiciary over Kano guber 

The South West zone of the  New Nigeria People’s Party, (NNPP), has berated the Kano State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) over the judgement of the Court of Appeal that Governor Abba Yusuf, is not a member of the NNPP, saying the APC and the court have no right to determine who is a member of the NNPP.

The NNPP said this in a statement issued in Ibadan, on Sunday, by the Zonal Secretary, Dr. Babatunde Oke, in reaction to the judgement of the Court of Appeal which affirmed the tribunal judgment that declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, winner of the March 18 governorship election.

It would be recalled that the Court of Appeal also held that Yusuf was not qualified to contest the election because he is not a member of the NNPP.

But Oke in the statement said the Appeal Court judgement will be upturned by the Supreme Court, stating that political parties have supremacy over its own affairs.

He maintained that from previous judgements by higher court it has been ascertained that political parties have supremacy over its own affairs and no court can inquire into the membership or leadership of a political party.

The statement read, “The issue of membership of a political party is a party affairs and it is outside the purview of court’s jurisdiction. It is a matter which only political party can decide. To inquire into such would amount to a court poking into the internal or domestic affairs of the party.

“In the case of Tinubu vs Obi, same court ruled that the candidate’s membership is a party affairs.

“In the case of Abba vs Gawuna, same court ruled that it has jurisdiction to interfere in the party’s membership. Same country, same court, same judges but different judgement, this is surprising. APC should not destroy the judiciary.

“In the documents attached to the statement signed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the name of Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, was clearly shown on 56209 of the NNPP members registration.

“Where did the Appeal Court and APC see their own membership register, where Abba Kabir Yusuf name was not found.

“Our National Secretary, Dipo Olayoku on June 23, 2023, requested the true certified copy of Kano State membership registration that was submitted to the INEC before the election.

“The letter which was addressed to the Secretary, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Zambezi Crescent, Maitama, Abuja, tittled: Request for certified true copy of updated NNPP membership register submitted to the commission.

“The letter reads: We hereby request for the Certified True copy of our updated Party Membership Register earlier submitted to the Commission.

“This certification of our copy of register becomes necessary for court processes involving our party.

“We agree to take charge of all due fees, while awaiting your quick action, please accept our best regards.

“And the copy was presented to us after the statutory payment of eleven thousand one hundred and sixty one naira, twenty-five kobo (N11,161. 25k) was paid to the INEC.

“And the name of Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf was clearly shown on 56209 of the NNPP members registration.”

It would be recalled that a chieftain of the NNPP, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, had expressed optimism that Yusuf will be affirmed as the Kano State Governor by the Supreme Court.

Ajadi in a statement while noting that the argument of the APC at the tribunal was different from that at the Appeal Court and wondered whether there started a new case was started at the Appeal Court, maintained that what the Appeal Court ruled upon has been argued in many cases and the rulings on those cases were judged as an intra party, which doesn’t concern any other person or party and that of  Kano State should not  be different.

He called on the good people of Kano State to remain calm and  avoid provocation from the opposition who are enjoying a temporary victory..