Membership, Nomination Remain Exclusive Right of Political Parties- Supreme Court Affirms

The Supreme Court has affirmed that the issue of membership and nomination of candidates are the exclusive rights of a political party.

Justice John Okoro while delivering judgement on the Kano State governorship appeal filed by Governor Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) ruled that “ The issue of nomination is exclusively the internal affairs of a political party. Therefore, it is not justiceable.”

Justice Okoro stated that  Section 177 (c) of the Constitution only frowns on independent candidate and nothing more, he says. He therefore ruled that “The court below erred in law by investigating the governor’s membership of the NNPP.”

Affirming Governor Yusuf,  Justice Okoro ruled thus:

“There is merit in this appeal. And the appeal is hereby allowed. The appellant won majority of lawful votes.

“The judgement of the lower Court voiding the election of the Appellant is hereby set aside,”