****Condemns ‘error-ridden’ judgment, proceeds to Appeal Court to seek redress
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano state has asked his supporters not to fret but stay calm and peaceful as he assured them he will reclaim the people’s mandate through all available legal means.
Yusuf was reacting to the Tribunal’s judgment that upturned his victory at the March 18th, 2023 governorship election and awarded it to his All Progressives Congress (APC) opponent, Nasir Yusuf Gawuna.
He said there is no cause for any alarm as the ‘error-ridden’ judgment was only a ‘temporary setback’.
Governor Yusuf spoke to newsmen a few minutes before midnight that the Appeal Court would do the right thing by correcting all the noticeable errors contained in the Tribunal’s judgment in order to ensure that justice is done.
While expressing confidence in the capacity of the Appellate Court to upturn the Tribunal’s ruling, the governor said; “My good people of Kano State! You would recall that on March 18, 2023, you came out en masse 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 the second-place candidate.
“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 own wisdom delivered their ruling.
“As human beings their judgment may not be absolutely 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 Supreme Court.”
On his next line of action, Governor Yusuf said; “We have already instructed our legal team to appeal this judgment as soon as possible to ensure that justice is done. I have since directed our lawyers to obtain a copy of the judgment and appeal as appropriate.”
Urging the people of Kano to be calm and remain law abiding at all times, the Governor said the security agencies have been directed to ensure the full protection of the 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 as the government would ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order across the State.”
