By Ayo Yusuf
As Kano State remains restive despite a 24-hour curfew imposed by the state police command following yesterday’s judgement of the state election petition tribunal, Governor Abba Yusuf has vowed to appeal the ruling which sacked him as governor and gave victory to his opponent, Dr Nasiru Ganuwa of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
The Tribunal had on Wednesday declared Dr. Gawuna the rightful winner of the March 18 governorship election after deducting 165,663 votes from those cast for Governor Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, stating that those particular ballot papers were not stamped or signed and therefore invalid.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier declared that the NNPP polled 1,019,602 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Dr Gawuna, who scored 890,705 votes. The NNPP candidate thus won with a margin of 128,897 votes.
Delivering judgment via the video conferencing platform, Zoom, yesterday, the three-man panel ordered the withdrawal of certificate of return which INEC presented to Governor Yusuf, and directed a certificate of return to be issued to Doctor Gawuna instead.
However, Governor Yusuf, who contested on the banner of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), described the tribunal’s verdict as “unfair” and “a miscarriage of justice”.
He vowed to appeal against the judgement and urged his supporters to remain calm.
“I call on our people to remain calm. We will appeal the judgement and we are sure justice will be done.
“Let our people be reassured that we will do everything possible to retain this widely acclaimed mandate”, he said.
Despite his admonition, there were pockets of violence in some areas of Kano metropolis where some thugs attacked residents and stole their belongings.
The police immediately imposed a 24-hour curfew to contain the situation across the state as the police commissioner of the state, Muhammed Gumel, called on residents to support the security agents and be law-abiding.
The commissioner warned that violators would be arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.
According to him, “The curfew is a constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police force alongside the relevant internal security and law enforcement agencies to preserve law and order in the state.
“Going forward, Kano State residents are called upon to note that combined security forces have already been dispatched to the nooks and crannies including the entry and exits of the state to ensure enforcement and strict compliance of the 24-hour curfew order as communicated by the State Government via letter with Reference No: K/SEC/H/435/T.1/153 dated 20th September, 2023.
“The curfew takes effect from 6 pm on Wednesday, 20th September (to) 6 pm on Thursday, 21st September 2023.
“Finally, I wish to appreciate all the peace-loving people of the state and urge them to remain law abiding as it’s in the best interest of all that we come together to maintain law and order in the state.”
Speaking in the same vein, Dr Ganuwa and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje called on the people of the state to give peace a chance.
Dr. Ganuwa who called on the support of all indigenes of Kano State said, “We will continue the good work of Dr Ganduje. We are going to be fair to everybody. Kano State is a commercial state, and commerce, education and health are areas we have highlighted in our blueprint during our campaigns and we will continue with what we have said.
“We won’t take your confidence in us for granted. We will make sure Kano is free of insecurity and other vices. We appreciate the support from the state and beyond”.
He traced his history with Dr. Ganduje and thanked the APC chairman for his constant support throughout his checkered career.
Speaking at his residence in Abuja, Dr Ganduje on his part, congratulated his former deputy governor, Dr Ganuwa, for his good fortune and praised the tribunal for returning judgement in his party’s favour.
He urged the people of Kano State to remain calm so that their businesses would continue to flourish.
