Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has rejected the ruling of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that voided his election and declared his opponent as winner.
The tribunal, on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, declared Dr Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 18 governorship election in Kano State.
Delivering judgement, the three-man panel, led by Justice Oluyemi Akintan-Osadebay, held that the margin of votes scored by the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) was invalid and was not conducted in compliance with the 2022 electoral act.
However, Yusuf, who contested under the platform of the 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.
He said: “I call on our people to remain calm. We will appeal the judgement and we are sure justice will be done.
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“Let our people be reassured that we will do everything possible to retain this widely acclaimed mandate.”
Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has declared a 24-hour curfew in the state to avoid a breakdown of law and order following the sacking of Governor Yusuf by the tribunal.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Gumel, who confirmed the curfew order via a statement, said the restriction took effect from 6 p.m. on Wednesday to 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 21.
Gumel stated: “A 24-hour curfew order has been communicated by the state government via letter with reference no: K/SEC/H/435/T.1/153 dated 20th September 2023 taking effect from 6pm of Wednesday, 20th September to 6pm of Thursday, 21st September 2023.
“In view of the constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force alongside the relevant internal security and law enforcement agencies to preserve law and order in the state, the Kano State Police Command has mapped out strategies in that direction and called on the good people of the state to give the necessary confidence and support.
“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 curfew. Violators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.”
The police commissioner, however, urged the people of Kano State to remain law-abiding, saying: “It’s in the best interest of all that we come together to maintain law and order in the state.”
