The Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has refused to grant the request by the gubernatorial candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP), Alhaji Salihu Sagir Takai, to scan sensitive election materials used in the conduct of the April 26th election in the state.

The Tribunal, in line with its earlier ruling, however, granted the ANPP candidate leave to duplicate the ballot papers, result sheets and voters' register.

The Counsel to the ANPP gubernatorial candidate, Barrister A. J. Owonikoko had complained to the Tribunal over the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow his client to scan the election materials.

The Counsel to the People's Democratic Party and Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, Nasiru Sanusi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) countered the motion of the ANPP, contending that scanning of the election materials was not part of ANPP’s earlier prayer.

Sanusi also reminded the Tribunal of its earlier ruling, which only allowed ANPP access to, but not scanning of election materials.

In her ruling, the Chairman of the Kano State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, Justice Iyabo Oladunni Kasali, refused to grant the prayers of the ANPP candidate, pointing out that scanning of the election materials was not contained in the earlier prayers of ANPP.

The tribunal maintained that its earlier order, which allowed ANPP to duplicate the election materials, such as ballot papers, result sheets and voters’ register used in the conduct of the governorship election, is still subsisting.

Justice Kasali enjoined counsel to the ANPP candidate to hasten the analysis of the election materials as the Tribunal is time bound to conclude election matters within 6 months.

Meanwhile, 24 witnesses assembled by the ANPP, are testifying before the Tribunal.

The All Nigeria People’s Democratic Party (ANPP) is seeking the nullification of the election of Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso on grounds that the April 26th poll was allegedly marred by irregularities in at least 23 Local Government Areas of Kano State