A People’s Democratic Party, PDP governorship aspirant in Kano State, Jaafar Sani-Bello on Wednesday filed a lawsuit in the state high court, challenging the eligibility of Abba Yusuf as party’s candidate.
The aggrieved aspirant also sued the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, PDP, the party’s chairman of the gubernatorial primary election, Kano State, Ezeoho Onua and his secretary, Danlami Abdulhamid for approving the disputed election in a suit file K/458/2018, at High Court 2.
Speaking in a brief telephone interview with DAILY NIGERIAN correspondent in Kano on Thursday, Mr Bello said he decided to file the lawsuit to challenge the eligibility of Mr Yusuf, a son-in-law to former governor of the state, Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
He argued that Mr Yusuf did not formally defect to PDP like other politicians, but emerged as the party’s flag bearer, adding that “this is a breach of law and apparently unconstitutional.”
Mr sought the court to declare him candidate, having clinched the second position in the primaries.
Mr Sani-Bello also disclosed that the high court judge, A.T. Badamasi, had slated October 25 to commence the proceedings.
Recall that Mr Yusuf emerged candidate on October 2 in disputed primaries held at his father in-law, Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Lugard Avenue residence, with only one aspirant, Jafar Sani-Bello, outside the Kwankwasiyya faction participating.
Police had cordoned off Marhaba Cinema, the proposed venue of the primaries, citing court orders.
Announcing the result of the primaries, the chairman of the electoral panel, Ezeogu Onouha, said they accredited a total of 4,130 delegates.
He said Mr Kabir emerged winner of the primaries after polling 2,421 votes to defeat his distant second, Jafar Sani-Bello, who got 1,258 votes.
Mr Onuoha said Sadiq Wali came third with 167 votes, while Salihu Takai came fourth with 95 votes.
According to him, Ibrahim Ali-Amin (Little) polled 51 votes to pick the fifth position, Akilu Indabawa scored 33 votes to pick the sixth position.
