A House of Representatives member and Kano State governorship aspirant, Sha’aban Sharada has filed a lawsuit, seeking the disqualification of Deputy Governor Nasiru Gawuna as the 2023 governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
Mr Sharada, a member representing Kano Municipal Federal Constituency, had contested the governorship primary election of the APC but lost to Mr Gawuna.
Mr Sharada expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome of the primaries, alleging manipulation and inconsistencies with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022.
In an ex parte application filed before the Federal High Court in Kano on Thursday, the plaintiff through his Counse, J.O. Asoluka, insisted that Mr Gawuna’s emergence was in violation to section 84 (1),(3),(8),(12) and (13) of the electoral act as amended.
In the application, sighted by Solacebase, Mr Sharada joined the state chapter of APC and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The plaintiff lawyer argued that contrary to the provision of the act and guidelines of the APC, the state government manipulated the nomination of APC delegates and compelled them to vote for the anointed candidate.
The plaintiff also raised concern over the conduct that allowed the political appointees of the state government to cast their votes, contrary to Section 84 (13) of the Electoral Act which disqualified their participation in the primary.
Meanwhile, Justice A.M. Liman granted leave to two motions filed by the plaintiff, first seeking to serve the deputy governor by substituted means.
The plaintiff lawyer alleged that Mr Gawuna deliberately refused to collect court processes, unlike APC and INEC.
The court also granted the plaintiff an order of abridgment of hearing from 30 days to 15 days to enable the court to expedite the process.
Upon granting the orders, the court asked the defendants to file their appearances and enter defense in the suit within 15 days.
After regularizing all the processes, the parties are expected to agree on a date for hearing on the substantive argument.
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