Tribunal Judgment Temporary Setback, Will not Dampen Our Spirit, Says Kano Gov

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano.

The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has described the judgment of the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal as a temporary setback, vowing that it will not deter him from carrying out developmental projects for the people of the state.

Yusuf was reacting to the tribunal verdict that nullified his victory during a state broadcast at the Government House Wednesday night.

His words: “You would recall that on March 18, 2023, you came out en mass and voted for me as your governor with a total vote of 1,019,602 and a margin of 128,897 votes between my humble self and second place.

“Subsequently, I was duly sworn in as your elected governor on May 29, 2023. You may also recall that the party that lost the election took us to court. However, after almost six months of proceedings at the governorship election petition tribunal, today Wednesday, September 20, 2023, the judges of the tribunal have in their wisdom delivered their ruling. As human beings, their judgment may not be perfect.

“There are errors and misapplication of the law as pointed out by our legal team. That is why our constitution provides for other stages to go on with such as the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on this note.

“We have already instructed our legal team to appeal this judgment as soon as possible to ensure that justice is done. Let me therefore call on all the good people of Kano State to be calm and remain law abiding.

“People should not take the law into their hands. Security agents have already been directed to ensure the full protection of lives and properties of innocent citizens across the state.”

According to him, “This government will continue to work for the development of our state in line with the promises we made while seeking your votes. We want to assure you that this will neither dampen our spirit nor slow us down as this is a temporary setback for our state which we will overcome by the grace of Almighty Allah (SWT).

“While thanking the good people of Kano State for their continuous support and prayer, let me further use this opportunity to call on them to continue to go about their businesses peacefully with the assurances that we would get justice at the appellate court and get the mandate of the people restored and respected Insha Allah.”