The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Governor Abba Yusuf have not struck a deal with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to sway the expected Supreme Court ruling in favour of the Kano State governor.
The APC further stated that President Bola Tinubu did not convene or step in to support the NNPP candidate’s decision to stay as governor and thereafter defect to the APC.
Governor Yusuf was dismissed by both the Tribunal and the Appeal Court, which pronounced the APC candidate the legitimate victor of the Kano state gubernatorial election.
The APC Kano State Chairman, Abdullahi Abbas, signed a statement released on Sunday in Abuja in which the party brushed off speculations of an accord and reconciliation between the NNPP and the APC as mere gossip.
No agreement has been reached, according to Abbas, to undermine the expected Supreme Court ruling. He also stated that since the NNPP began spreading the rumours, its credulous members were thrilled and have continued to spread various falsehoods to keep the party’s followers optimistic despite the current disenfranchisement.
“According to rumours, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been contacted by the NNPP to mediate the situation so that the NNPP candidate can stay as governor and then defect to the APC,” he stated.
No such meeting has ever taken place with the President or any other party leader. As a democrat who firmly believes in the rule of law and doing the right thing, President Bola Tinubu would not participate in any agreement or reconciliation that subverts justice and encourages individuals to become leaders by voting fraudulently or violating the election act.
Abbas went on to say that the APC, as a party, is unaware of this arrangement and will instead step up its attempts to take its case all the way to the Supreme Court.
“Especially from the concrete and convincing evidence presented at both the Tribunal and the Appeal Court which ultimately led to our party’s success,” the chairman of the APC in Kano state expressed confidence in his party’s victory at the Supreme Court.
Regarding the possibility of a crisis arising from the Supreme Court’s ruling, the APC stated that there was no strain in Kano and emphasised that the people were content with the recent developments resulting from the decisions made by the Tribunal and Appeal Court. As a result, they were eagerly awaiting the Apex Court’s confirmation of the two rulings that were issued concurrently.
“Despite all of the NNPP’s efforts to agitate and prod youth to create needless political crises in the state, Kano remains incredibly peaceful, and people are going about their daily lives as usual.”
Notwithstanding the NNPP’s provocations, Abbas pledged that the party will maintain cordial and peaceful relations with all ethnic groups and nationalities in the state.
He asked all Nigerians and party members to reject provocation and misinformation and to maintain their composure because Kano would always be peaceful.
