Appeal Court sacks Abacha, affirms Sadiq as PDP guber candidate in Kano

Controversy rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Kano State, yesterday, took another dimension as Court of Appeal sitting in Kano, validated the candidature of Wali Sadiq as rightful candidate of the party.

The appellate court sacked Mohammad Abacha, son of late former head of state Sani Abacha, as the governorship candidate of the party for next month election in Kano.

Wali had dragged Abacha before the Appeal Court challenging the judgment of Justice Liman of Federal High Court, Kano that upheld the parallel primary that produced Abacha as lawful candidate.

Amid the brewing internal crisis in PDP in Kano, two parallel primaries were conducted in May 25, 2022, each produced Wali and Abacha by separate delegations. The impasse triggered unsettled division in the part.

In a unanimous judgment of the three justices panel, delivered by Justice Usman Musale, the appellate dismissed judgment of the lower for lacking in merit.

The court faulted the party’s primary conducted by Shehu Sagagi-led chairman that produced Abacha, for not being monitored and supervised by delegation of the National Working Committee of the party.

The court held that the law is clear that only the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party can conduct the gubernatorial primary elections of a party and since Abacha did not participate at the primary monitored by NEC delegates, he has no locus standi to challenge the outcome of the primary that produced Wali.

Reacting to the judgment of the appellate court, Counsel to appellant, Abdurrahman Mukhtar hailed the court’s verdict, saying it restates the position of the law that only the National headquarters of the party has the power to conduct party primaries not the state chapter.

On his part, the Counsel to Mohammed Abacha, Saidu Tudun-Wada said they would obtain the court proceeding, study the judgment and advise their client accordingly on next line of action.