Tension in Kano after tribunal verdict, as traders lock up shops

****24 hour curfew declared following apprehension among residents

There was palpable apprehension in the ancient city of Kano on Wednesday after the State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal invalidated the election of Alhaji Kabir Yusuf as governor of the state following claims that his declaration was not in compliance with the electoral act.

The All Progressives Congress, (APC) which was the ruling party in the state until May 29, 2023 had its second position upturned to first position by the tribunal on Wednesday after it deducted 165,663 votes from total votes scored by Governor Yusuf on the grounds that 165,663 ballot papers counted for the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP were not stamped or signed, hence, the tribunal declared them invalid votes and with that the APC candidate Nasiru Gawuna came top.

The tribunal ther3after ordered that the certificate of return issued to Yusuf be withdrawn and given to APC governorship candidate, Nasiru Gawuna.

The judgment was delivered virtually as the judges opted to use zoom following the tension that enveloped the state ahead of the judgment.

Governor Yusuf had on Friday sacked his Commissioner of Lands and Physical Planning, Adamu Kibiya, and the Special Adviser on Youth Development, Aliyu Yusuf-Imma after the duo was seen in a viral video threatening to kill judges if they upturned the election of Yusuf.

It was gathered that following the tribunal judgment that sacked the governor, traders in major markets in Kano immediately started locking up their shops and going home causing a panic.

Meanwhile a 24 hour curfew has been declared in Kano State following the judgment of the election petitions tribunal sacking the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Usaini Gumel, in a statement he personally signed, said a combined team of security operatives have been dispatched across the city to enforce the curfew.

“In view of the Constitutional mandate of the Nigeria Police Force alongside the relevant Internal Security and Law Enforcement Agencies to preserve law and order in the State, the Kano State Police Command have mapped out strategies on that direction and call on the good people of the State to give the necessary confidence and supports.

“Going forward, Kano State residents are called upon to note that combined Security Forces have already been dispatched to the nooks and crannies including the entry and exits of the State to ensure enforcement and strict compliance of the Twenty-Four Hours (24hrs) Curfew order as communicated by the State Government via letter with Reference No: K/SEC/H/435/T.1/153 dated 20th September, 2023 taking effect from 6pm of Wednesday, 20th September to 6pm of Thursday, 21st September 2023.

“Violators will be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.

“Finally, I wish to appreciate all the peace-loving People of the State and urge them to remain law abiding as it’s in the best interest of all that we come together to maintain law and order in the State,” he said.