*Gov Yusuf: Tribunal’s verdict is temporary setback, I’ll reclaim my mandate at appellate court
*Police impose 24-hour curfew, vow to enforce restriction
The Kano Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Kano , on Wednesday, nullified the election of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) and declared Dr Nasiru Gawuna of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the March 18 governorship poll in the state.
It is instructive to note that Gawuna had congratulated Governor Yusuf after INEC announced him as the winner of the governorship poll while the APC proceeded to the tribunal to challenge the outcome of the poll.
But the three-man panel in its unanimous judgment, invalidated the election of Yusuf and declared Gawuna as the authentic Kano State Governor.
Delivering the judgement virtually, the Tribunal chairman, Justice Oluyemi Akinatan-Osadebey, held that Yusuf was not a member of the NNPP at the time the governorship election.
Justice Akinatan-Osadebey also held that there was over voting in the exercise in favour of Yusuf, saying that the margin of lead between the NNPP and APC candidates was not up to the number of cancelled votes.
The Tribunal, therefore, deducted 165,663 votes from Governor Yusuf’s total votes as invalid votes, stating that the ballot papers (165,663) were not stamped or signed and therefore declared them invalid.
The tribunal also directed INEC to withdraw the certificate of return it presented to Yusuf and issued it to Gawuna.
The Tribunal Chairman also held that Governor Yusuf did not win the election by majority of the votes, saying that the candidate of the APC, Gawuna won the election by majority of lawful votes cast.
The tribunal consequently directed INEC to withdraw the certificate of return it presented to Yusuf and re-issue it in favour of Gawuna.
But due to tension in the state over the outcome of the verdict, the tribunal had to deliver its judgement through virtual means while admission into the court premises was restricted as only few people were allowed inside the court room.
It is also important to note that security was beefed up in the court premises and the entire Kano metropolis.
A combined team of armed security agencies, comprising Army, Navy, NSCDC, Police, DSS, were also stationed in all sensitive locations in the state to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
Speaking after the verdict, Governor Yusuf disclosed during an interview with the BBC Hausa station that the Tribunal has taken away the mandate of the people of Kano, especially those who trooped out en mass to make sure that their votes count.
He then said, “I have since directed our lawyers to obtain the copy of the judgement and appeal.
Addressing the media last night in Kano, Governor Yusuf said that the tribunal verdict is a temporary setback, saying that he will reclaim the mandate given to him by the people of the state.
Governor Yusuf also called on the people of Kano State to be calm and law abiding and not to take law into their hands.
Reassuring the people of the state that the decision of the Tribunal, which he said is full of errors and misapplication, will not dampen the spirit of his government, saying that he will continue with all the good works he promised the people.
The Kano Governor also disclosed that he had instructed his legal team to challenge the judgement at the Court of Appeal.
He said, “You may equally recall that the party that lost the election took us to court.
“However, after almost six months of proceedings, the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, today Wednesday 20th of September, 2023, the Judges of the Tribunal have in their own wisdom delivered their own rulings.
“As human beings, their judgements may not be absolutely perfect. Their are errors and misapplication of the law as pointed out by our legal team.
“That is the main reason why our Constitution provides for other stages to go on with, such as Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
“On this note we have already instructed our legal team, to appeal this judgement as soon as possible so as to ensure that justice is done for the good people of Kano state that elected us.
“Let me therefore call on all the good people of Kano state to be calm and remain law abiding, people should not talk the law into their hands.
“Security agents have been directed to ensure the full protection of lives and properties of innocent citizens across the state.
“Let me assure you that this government will continue to work for the development of our state in line with the promise we made for you during our electioneering campaign while seeking for your votes.
“We want to assure you that this will never dampen our spirits nor slow us down. This is a temporary set back for our state which will by the grace of Allah SWT be overcome soon.
“While thanking the people of Kano State for their continuous support, let me further use this opportunity to call on them to continue to go about their businesses peacefully with assurance that we will get justice at the appellate court and get the mandate of the good people restored and respected. Insha Allah.”
In a related development, the Kano State Police Command has announced a 24-hour curfew in the state and vowed to enforce the restriction.
In a statement by the Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, Muhammad Hussaini Gumel, the police said violators of the curfew will face the wrath of the law.
The statement reads in part, “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 have mapped out strategies on that direction and call on the good people of the State to give the necessary confidence and supports.
“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 24hrs Curfew order as 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. Violators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“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.”
