The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision led by Justice Inyang Okoro, overturned the judgements of the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, upholding Governor Abba Yusuf's election as the rightful governor of Kano State.
The court declared that the deductions of valid votes from Yusuf by the lower courts were incorrect, emphasizing that the 165,663 votes deducted due to unsigned, unstamped, or undated ballot papers were valid.
The court clarified that, as per the Electoral Act 2022, ballot papers with the official mark from INEC were not entirely invalid, even if lacking a date.
Additionally, the court dismissed claims that Yusuf influenced the non-signing of ballot papers and criticized the nullification of his election based on party membership, asserting that the sponsorship of a candidate is a matter for the political party.
The Supreme Court affirmed that Governor Yusuf won the election with a majority of lawful votes and was duly nominated by the NNPP.