Kano: APC’s Victory Momentary, Says NNPP

* Vows to upturn verdict

Juliet Akoje in Abuja.

The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), yesterday, said the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal verdict that sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and recognised the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasiru Gawuna, was momentary and vowed to upturn the ruling at the appeal.

The NNPP Acting Deputy National Chairman, Nwaeze Onu, while briefing journalists in Abuja, insisted that the party would reclaim its verdict.
Onu streessed that the tribunal arrived at what he called an “unjust judgement by unfairly” subtracting 165,663 votes from the governor’s tally in order to enable it unfairly award the election result to the candidate of the ruling APC.

“It is now very clear that our democracy is under serious threat, and there is the need for urgent concerted effort to save it from total annihilation. Without being immodest, our party can pride itself as a party that is not desperate for power.

“That is why in spite of the shortcomings of the last general election, especially, with regard to the disenfranchisement of millions of our voters across the country, we decided not to approach the Tribunal, in view of the tense situation in the country then. Instead, we decided to focus on building our party for future electoral engagements, hoping the future is bright for the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

“Unfortunately, the judgement by the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal on the March 18, 2023, Governorship election is capable of eroding whatever confidence one has in the judiciary of this great country.

“The reported judgement nullified the free, credible and globally acclaimed fair election of our Governorship Candidate, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf and brazenly awarded the election to the APC candidate, Nasiru Gawuna. The Tribunal arrived at this unjust judgement by unfairly subtracting 165,663 votes from the Governor’s tally in order to enable it unfairly award the election result to the candidate of the ruling APC.

“In doing so the Tribunal obviously affirms its belief that the vote tally of the APC Candidate was sacrosanct. The Supreme Court in many cases has stated its position on this matter in earlier judgements.

“It is going to be a hard nut to crack for the Kano State Election Petition Tribunal to convince a non-partisan Nigerian that in an election cycle with five different polls, (Presidential, Senatorial, House of Representatives, Governorship and House of Assembly) the NNPP won in all except the governorship election.

“For the sake of emphasis, the NNPP Presidential Candidate, His Excellency Senator Rablu Musa Kwanjwaso, Ph.D, FNSE defeated the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a wide margin. In the same vein, NNPP won two Senatorial seats as against APC’s one seat.”