NNPP: APC was roundly defeated in Kano — we trust s’court to dispense justice

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) says the men and women of the supreme court would dispense justice on Friday because they possess “impeccable character and the fear of God in their hearts”.

The NNPP also alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is making attempts to blackmail the supreme court ahead of its verdict on the state’s guber dispute.

In September, the Kano state governorship election petition tribunal sacked Abba Yusuf as governor of the state.

The tribunal deducted 165,663 votes from the 1,019,602 recorded for Yusuf because the ballot papers were not stamped, signed and dated as required by law.

The tribunal then declared Yusuf Gawuna of the APC as winner of the vote.

Displeased with the verdict, the NNPP and its candidate challenged the judgment at the appellate court.

On November 17, the court of appeal upheld the tribunal’s verdict and added that Yusuf was not a member of the NNPP when he contested the election.

In a statement, Abba Kawu Ali, acting national chair of the NNPP, said reports from Kano reveal that APC leaders were distributing souvenirs in anticipation of victory at the apex court.

“Without doubt, this action by the APC is tantamount to harassment and blackmail of the judiciary. And this act should be roundly condemned by all lovers of democracy and the rule of law,” the statement reads.

“It is the view of the NNPP that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the leader of the APC in Nigeria, should call his party leaders in Kano State to order.

“As a matter of fact, the desperation of the APC leaders in Kano State has reached a crescendo and if not checked, could plunge the state, Northern Nigeria and the entire country into a crisis of monumental proportions.

“It is very visible, even to the blind, that the APC was roundly defeated by the NNPP in Kano state in the last general elections and that the APC was only trying to get through the back door what it failed to get through the ballot box.

“It is on record that NNPP trounced the APC in all the five elections conducted in Kano state in the 2023 general elections. So, why are they so particular about the governorship seat?

“From our findings, the Justices in the Supreme Court are men and women of courage and impeccable character who have the fear of God in their hearts and are focused on dispensing justice and upholding the rule of law.”

Ali said Kano residents should be assured that nothing would happen to the mandate they freely gave the incumbent governor.