Abba Kabir Yusuf, the governor of Kano State, said on Friday that the ruling by the Appeal Court annulling his election was a heinous injustice to the people of Kano and that they will take the matter up with the Supreme Court to seek redress.
In response to the ruling that removed him from office and upheld the Tribunal’s earlier decision to support APC candidate Gawuna for governor, Governor Yusuf declared, “The election petition tribunal that removed him from office was unjust, then the Appeal Court also robbed Kano voters of their choice today.”
“Our lawyers have been directed to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court in the hopes that it will rectify the injustice done to the Kano people,” he stated.
The governor went on, “We were optimistic that the Supreme Court would return their stolen mandate,” and added, “We know that the people of Kano came out in force to vote for us.”
The APC was then charged by Governor Yusuf with being blind and determined to keep the governorship without regard for the will of the people.
“The APC merely wishes to carry on its devastation and disregard for the lives and advancement of the Kano people,” he declared.
But Yusuf pledged that his administration will not back down from carrying out the development initiatives it has already begun in the fields of human development, health, and education.
Regarding security, the governor told Kano citizens to carry on with their daily lives because there are security guards on duty to keep them safe.
In response, Gawuna released a statement on Saturday in Kano with the title “The truth has prevailed, judgement is victory for everyone.”
“Praise be to Almighty Allah for ensuring our victory at the Gubernatorial Election Court of Appeal today,” he declared.
“Democratic values will undoubtedly be reinforced by the appeal court’s recognition of the truth. I would want to express my gratitude to the court of appeals for upholding our election petition tribunal court victory.
“Democratic values will undoubtedly be strengthened by the appeal court’s affirmation of the truth.” “Both the rulings have reaffirmed that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man,” he continued.
Using this occasion, I would like to express my gratitude to the judges of the election tribunal and the court of appeals for sticking to the facts and ensuring that justice was served.
“Since this is a triumph for all of the state’s population, I am asking everyone, regardless of political affiliation, to work with my running mate, Alh Murtala Sule Garo, and me to improve Kano.
“I must express my gratitude to our cordial leader, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Barau Jibrin, Deputy President of the Senate, and the two ministers from Kano State for their support.”
“I would also like to express my gratitude to the diligent State APC Chairman, Alh Abdullahi Abbas, as well as the Party Executives, Members of the State and National Assemblies, Chairmen of Local Governments, and Party luminaries from ward to state level.
“I would like to express my gratitude to the business community, women’s groups, youth, and ulamahs for their prayers and support.
“Our goal is to achieve growth and development by raising the standard of living for Kano State’s people and residents.
“I’m urging the state’s citizens and residents to maintain composure and uphold the law.”
Additionally, in response to the party’s governorship candidate’s victory at the Appellate Court in Kano, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the National Chairman of the APC and a former state governor, expressed excitement and described it as a victory for the people of Kano.
“With Gawuna’s victory at the Appeal Court, there are better days ahead for Kano,” asserts Ganduje.
Additionally, he voiced hope that Gawuna will prevail in the Supreme Court.
This was said in a statement sent on Saturday to the press in Kano by the Chief Press Secretary to Comrade Edwin Olofu, the APC’s national chairman.
He claimed that compared to his eight years as governor of Kano state, Gawuna’s administration would record greater accomplishments and give the masses better opportunity.
“I give thanks to Allah for this significant ruling. Despite all the distractions that have occurred since the case’s inception, we must express our gratitude to the judiciary for its excellent administration of justice.
“We owe the judiciary gratitude. This is unquestionably a democratic win. It is a win for Kano State and the APC alike. This suggests that democracy in Nigeria is here to stay. We may say that Nigerian democracy is developed. We owe a debt of gratitude to all of the parties involved, including the NNPP, which helped us get to the Appeal Court.
“This triumph is for all of us at Kano State. With God’s grace, we brought the matter before the Tribunal and received a just ruling in support of our wonderful party, the APC. We are well aware of the numerous irregularities that occur during elections.
“Now, the ruling NNPP administration chose to appeal to the Court of Appeal, and this morning, by the grace of God, the Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s decision. In doing so, Kano State’s legitimately elected governor, Dr. Nasiru Gawuna, our candidate for governor, was declared.
Overall though, it’s likely that they will go before the Supreme Court, which is a branch of government. They have every right to appeal to the Supreme Court. We are prepared to face them at the Supreme Court as well. And we will prevail before the Supreme Court, insha’Allah.
The governor-elect for Kano State will provide a similar, if not better, administration; more accomplishments will be recorded in Kano State because that is what we expect, Ganduje said. “But we want to assure the people of Kano State that the good administration that was provided in my eight years with my deputy, Dr Nasiru Gawuna,” Ganduje said.
