Kano’s vicious cocktail and enemies of Nigeria’s democracy

Celebratory gears preceded the January 12 judgment of the Supreme Court which confirmed Abba Kabir Yusuf as the Governor of Kano State. The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state which had won the round of litigation at the Court of Appeal had distributed celebration clothes to its members.

There were also prayers and fasting as well as curses and cheers. Before the judgment, the people of Kano State saw it all.

There was a mammoth electoral upset, an unsparing demolition job and unexpected judicial interventions. Everything that could happen to people happened in Kano between the period of March 18, 2023 to January 12, 2024.

The incumbent Abba Yusuf Kabir had been sacked by the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal which was at pains to stress the insecurity it felt as it worked in one of Nigeria’s most politically volatile states.

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On Friday, January 12, the Supreme Court set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had affirmed the verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal.

Even before the election was held on March 18, Nigeria had long refined its reputation as a country where mountains are moulded out of molehills. Repeated elections have remained a riotous struggle in a country where getting the basics right is almost impossible.

But now, the APC in Kano must lick its wounds and wait for 2027. It is the only way around it, and unless a country tragically bled out of options, finds a way of reversing the situation where the judiciary decides who occupies which office, far longer and darker days lie ahead.

For Plateau State, the Supreme Court gave judgment to Caleb Mutfwang of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The judgment brought to an end the long-running governorship dispute in the state that had culminated in a dubious Court of Appeal decision.

Disputed elections, litigation, celebratory gears, and accusations of corruption all bring up a vicious cocktail that feeds the enemies of Nigeria’s democracy. Deep reforms are needed to turn the tide.

At some point, the country would have to brave the odds to do what it must. By then, it must hope it has not run out of options.

Ike Willie-Nwobu wrote via [email protected]